Jūhachiban no uchi (The 18 Favorites)

Toyohara Kunichika, artist

1835–1900

Jūhachiban no uchi (The 18 Favorites), 1898, 3rd month, Meiji period (1868–1912)

Portfolio/Series title: Ichikawa Danjūrō engei hyakuban (100 Roles of Ichikawa Danjuro IX)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: embossing; mica; color woodcut; lacquer

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 333 x 215 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 385 x 265 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 13 1/8 x 8 7/16 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 15 3/16 x 10 7/16 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: Lucy Shaw Schultz Fund

Accession number: 2001.0013

Not on display

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Kunichika was a student of both Kunisada and Chikanobu, who are also represented in this exhibition. Kunichika had the professional honor of creating Kunisada's memorial portrait upon the master's death in 1864. He was also known as something of a libertine, with at least forty documented liaisons during his adult life and a penchant for a fast-paced social life.

This print is one from Kunichika's popular series the 100 Roles of Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, issued between 1893 and 1903. Some of Kunichika's designs for the ongoing series were produced posthumously. Danjūrō IX (1839-1903) was a kabuki star from one of the most important acting families in Japan's history. The group of plays that traditionally make up the "18 favorites" include Shibaraku or "Wait a Moment!" This was a vehicle for the Danjūrō line, to showcase their special talents and dramatic creativity in devising spontaneous, loosely spun plots. The view of Danjūrō IX in this Shibaraku scene depicts the actor subduing a fierce, clawed elephant, displaying the family acting style of aragoto, or "rough stuff," to full advantage. Kunichika's depiction of facial expression is quite individualized, with Danjūrō IX's full jaw, closely set eyes and delicate brow clearly demonstrating the print designer's artistic range.