Ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune and Iganokotarō Asayuki

Utagawa Kunisada, artist

1786–1864

Ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune and Iganokotarō Asayuki, 1852, 6th month, Edo period (1600–1868)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 368.3 x 260.4 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 14 1/2 x 10 1/4 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: Gift of H. Lee Turner

Accession number: 1968.0001.124

Not on display

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An actor famous for his portrayals of ghosts was Nakamura Utaemon IV. Shortly after the actor's death in 1852, Utagawa Kunisada designed a memorial portrait of Utaemon IV as the ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune. The print depicts the actor in a dual role as both human and ghost. In both cases he shows a "mie," a pose in which the actor crosses one eye, which is performed at emotiona lhigh points in all kabuki. The hands of the ghost are held chest high in an Esoteric Buddhist mudra, because the print was issued as a memorial to the actor.