Scene from the jōruri Ukina no Hatsugasumi - Torii Kiyonaga

A woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga depicting actors Iwai Hanshirō 4th and Segawa Kikunojō 3rd in a scene from the 1788 jōruri performance Ukina no Hatsugasumi.

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga depicts a scene from the jōruri performance Ukina no Hatsugasumi, staged at the Kiriza theatre in the spring of 1788. The composition features the actors Iwai Hanshirō 4th, appearing as Hisamatsu, and Segawa Kikunojō 3rd, appearing as Osome. They are accompanied by three musicians positioned on a raised platform behind them. One musician plays the shamisen, while the others provide vocal or instrumental support, a common arrangement for theatrical accompaniment in the Edo period.

Kiyonaga is recognised for his tall, graceful figures and his ability to integrate human subjects with their surroundings. In this work, the figures are arranged with a sense of balance that reflects the artist's mastery of the ukiyo-e medium. The actors are dressed in elaborate kimono, with patterns that suggest the status and character of their roles. The inclusion of the musicians provides a sense of the theatrical environment, grounding the interaction between the two central figures within the context of a live performance.

The print demonstrates the technical precision of the Takatsu edition, showing the refined line work and colour application characteristic of Kiyonaga's mature period. The muted palette, dominated by soft yellows, greens, and earthy tones, directs attention to the expressive gestures and facial features of the actors. This work offers a glimpse into the popular culture of late eighteenth-century Edo, where the theatre served as a primary source of entertainment and fashion. By capturing this specific moment from the stage, Kiyonaga preserves the aesthetic conventions of the time, from the stylised poses of the kabuki actors to the specific instrumentation of the musical ensemble. The print remains a record of the collaborative nature of theatrical production, where the visual arts and performance arts intersected to create a unified experience for the audience.