Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō 5th as Moriya no Daijin disguised as Rokujūrokubu - Katsukawa Shunshō

A classic yakusha-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō, capturing Ichikawa Danjūrō V in a theatrical role as a wandering pilgrim from 1773.

This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō depicts the celebrated kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V in the role of Moriya no Daijin. The character is shown in disguise as a rokujūrokubu, a wandering Buddhist pilgrim who travels to sixty-six provinces to copy and distribute the Lotus Sutra. The performance took place at the Morita Theater in Edo during the seventh month of 1773, specifically for the play Miya-bashira Iwao no Butai.

Shunshō is recognised for his development of the yakusha-e, or actor print, genre. Unlike his predecessors who often depicted actors in a stylised, generic manner, Shunshō focused on capturing the specific facial features and individual expressions of the performers. This approach, known as nigao-e, allowed audiences to identify their favourite stars with precision. In this composition, the actor is captured in a dynamic pose, leaning slightly forward while gripping a staff. The heavy, dark lines of the robes contrast with the muted, earthy tones of the background and the pilgrim's attire. The large, rectangular box carried on his back is a characteristic accessory for the rokujūrokubu, used to house sutra scrolls.

The print demonstrates the technical mastery of the Katsukawa school, which prioritised clarity of form and characterisation over excessive ornamentation. The composition is balanced, with the verticality of the staff and the pilgrim's pack providing a sense of stability against the actor's posture. As a document of eighteenth-century Japanese theatre, this work provides a glimpse into the costume design and performance style of the period. The use of colour is restrained, relying on subtle washes to define the textures of the fabric and the weight of the wooden pack. This print remains a representative example of the shift toward realism in the depiction of kabuki actors during the mid-Edo period.