Onoe Matsusuke as Ashikaga Takauji

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Onoe Matsusuke as Ashikaga Takauji

Artist Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794-1795)

Publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo

Date1794

Dimensions12 1/4 x 5 5/8 in. (31.1 x 14.3 cm)

Mediumcolor woodblock print

ClassificationPrints

Credit LinePurchased with funds given by Jonathan F. Orser and from the Florence Scott Libbey Bequest in Memory of her Father, Maurice A. Scott, by exchange

Object number

2006.38

Not on View

Label TextThis unique woodblock print—TMA’s is the only known impression—by important Japanese printmaker Toshusai Sharaku features Kabuki actor Onoe Matsusuke (1744–1815) in his celebrated role as the tyrant Ashikaga Takauji in the play Steadfast as the Pine Tree is the Woman of the Kusanoki Clan (Matsu Wa Misao Onna Kusanoki). The action-packed story is based on a medieval tale of the struggle between two clans in feudal Japan. Kabuki Theater presented stories of high drama and romantic intrigue that captured the imagination of all levels of Japanese society. Kabuki actors were revered by the public, and prints of these actors, always shown in their stage roles, were avidly collected. Sharaku created a new form of actor print, often taking into consideration the actor's personality as well as his stage role. Instead of idealizing the actors, he deliberately exaggerated their personal physical traits, creating a form of caricature not always appreciated by his subjects.Published ReferencesHillier, Jack, Vever Collection of Japanese Prints, Sotheby's catalogue, London, 1976, number 616.

Hillier, Jack, Highly Important Japanese Prints from the Henri Vever Collection: Final Part, Sotheby's catalogue, London, October 30, 1997, number 131.

Keyes, Roger, Sharaku, exhibition catalogue, Tobu Museum of Art, 1995, p. 178, reference plate Q.

Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art Masterworks, Toledo, 2009, p. 43, repr. (col.).

Reich, Paula, Toledo Museum of Art: Map and Guide, London, Scala, 2009, p. 30, repr. (col.)

Putney, Carolyn M, Brown, Kendall H., Shuko, Koyama. Binnie, Paul. Fresh Impressions: Early Modern Japanese Prints, Toledo, Toledo Museum of Art, 2013.repr. (col.) pp.

Exhibition HistoryJapan, Tokyo National Museum, Sharaku, May 1- June 12, 2011, no. 127, repr. (col.) p. 169, p. 322.

Toledo, Toledo Museum of Art, Fresh Impressions: Early Modern Japanese Prints, October 4, 2013-January 1, 2014.

Toledo, Toledo Museum of Art, Looks Good on Paper: Masterworks and Favorites, Oct. 10, 2014-Jan. 11, 2015.

Comparative ReferencesSee also Hillier, Jack, Vever Collection of Japanese Prints, Sotheby's catalogue, London, 1976, number 616.

See also Hillier, Jack, Highly Important Japanese Prints from the Henri Vever Collection: Final Part, Sotheby's catalogue, London, October 30, 1997, number 131.

See also Keyes, Roger, Sharaku, exhibition catalogue, Tobu Museum of Art, 1995, p. 178, reference plate Q.