Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as a Devil - Katsukawa Shunshō

A classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō, capturing the kabuki actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX in a dramatic, supernatural role.

This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō depicts the kabuki actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX in a supernatural role. Shunshō was a central figure in the development of yakusha-e, or actor prints, during the mid-Edo period. He moved away from the stylised, generic facial features common in earlier ukiyo-e, opting instead for realistic portraits that captured the specific likeness of individual performers. This shift allowed audiences to recognise their favourite actors on stage through the medium of printed art.

The composition focuses on the dynamic posture of the actor, who is shown in a moment of dramatic tension. The figure wears a patterned kimono featuring a repeating triangular motif, which contrasts with the fluid, dark lines of his hair and the sharp, angular expression on his face. Small horns are visible, identifying the character as a demon or devil, a common trope in kabuki theatre used to represent malevolent spirits or vengeful ghosts. The actor holds a staff aloft, his body coiled in a pose that suggests imminent movement or a sudden strike.

Shunshō’s approach to line work is precise, defining the contours of the robes and the intensity of the actor's gaze with clarity. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft tones that have mellowed with age, allowing the graphic quality of the print to take precedence. This work provides a window into the theatrical culture of eighteenth-century Edo, where the popularity of kabuki theatre drove a massive demand for souvenir prints. By capturing the energy of a live performance, Shunshō created a record of the actor's craft and the aesthetic conventions of the period.