Kamisaka Sekka: Shibaraku, from A World of Things (Sold)

Artist:  Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942)
Title: Ichikawa Danjuro in Shibaraku Role
Date: 1909/1910

Portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro in the voluminous Shibaraku costume. He fills the page, as he must have filled the stage. Shibaraku is perhaps the most famous scene in kabuki, and has been played by actors in the Danjuro line since its first staging in 1697. The essence of the scene is that of a super-hero (Danjuro) rescuing innocent people who are threatened by evil forces. As with all the images in this album, all superfluous elements have been pared away, leaving a design full of whimsy and delight. Sekka was a towering master of pure, Rimpa design perfection. From the album “A World of Things” (Momoyogusa), considered the pinnacle masterwork of Rimpa school printmaking, and called a “tour de force” in the Sekka catalog of 2004 (page 298). 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. With the usual center fold.
Dimensions: 29.3 x 44 cm
Publisher: Unsodo
Literature: See “Kamisaka Sekka: Rimpa Master--Pioneer of Modern Design,” 2003, page 258.

SKU: SEC024S