Actor Ichimura Uzaemon as a Comb Vendor - Okumura Toshinobu

A classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting the kabuki actor Ichimura Uzaemon as a comb vendor, rendered in the traditional urushi-e style.

This woodblock print by Okumura Toshinobu depicts the kabuki actor Ichimura Uzaemon in the role of a comb vendor. The work belongs to the genre of yakusha-e, or actor prints, which were popular during the Edo period. These prints functioned as promotional material for theatre performances, allowing fans to collect images of their favourite performers in specific roles.

The composition features the actor carrying a large, portable display case on his back, which is laden with various combs and hair accessories. A smaller, handheld display tray is held in his right hand. The figure is rendered with the characteristic stylised features of the period, including a refined facial expression and a graceful posture. The kimono pattern, featuring bamboo motifs, adds a decorative element to the overall design. The text integrated into the composition identifies the actor and the role, serving as a clear indicator of the print's purpose within the urban culture of eighteenth-century Japan.

Technically, this is an example of urushi-e, or lacquer print. In this process, artists applied black lacquer or glue to specific areas of the print to create a glossy, dark finish that contrasted with the hand-applied colours. The palette is restrained, relying on earthy tones and muted reds to draw attention to the actor's form and the accessories he carries. The lines are precise and calligraphic, reflecting the skill of the artist in capturing the essence of the kabuki stage. The print provides a glimpse into the intersection of fashion, theatre, and commercial art in historical Japan. It captures a moment of performance, frozen in time through the medium of the woodblock print, and remains a record of the aesthetic preferences of the era.