The Actor Ichimura Kamezo I as Tachibanaya Hikoso - Suzuki Harunobu
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Description
A classic woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting the kabuki actor Ichimura Kamezo I in a dramatic stage pose.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts the kabuki actor Ichimura Kamezo I in the role of Tachibanaya Hikoso. The performance took place at the Ichimura Theater during the eleventh month. Harunobu, a master of the nishiki-e or brocade print, utilised a refined palette to capture the theatrical presence of the actor. The composition balances the figure of the actor with a large, dark prop, likely a storage chest or stage element, which anchors the right side of the frame.
The actor wears a kimono decorated with a repeating pattern of cranes, a motif often associated with longevity and status in Edo-period Japan. His posture is dynamic, suggesting a moment of dramatic tension or a specific pose known as a mie. The calligraphic text surrounding the figure provides context regarding the play, the actor, and the specific theatrical production. Harunobu was instrumental in the development of multi-coloured printing techniques, moving away from the limited colour schemes of earlier periods to create prints with greater tonal variety.
Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the carver and the printer. The lines are clean and deliberate, defining the contours of the actor's robes and his facial features. The use of negative space is characteristic of Harunobu's approach, allowing the subject to occupy the frame without unnecessary clutter. This work serves as a record of the kabuki culture that flourished in eighteenth-century Japan, where actors were celebrated as fashion icons and cultural figures. The print is a fine example of the yakusha-e genre, which focused on the portrayal of actors, documenting both their individual likenesses and their stage personas for the public.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
The Actor Ichimura Kamezo I as Tachibanaya Hikoso - Suzuki Harunobu
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Harunobu moved away from the stiff portraits of kabuki actors common in his era. He preferred to depict young women in their daily lives, often using an elevated viewpoint to look into private spaces. His series Zashiki hakkei, or Eight Parlour Views, provides a clear example of his method. He took classical Chinese themes and reimagined them as domestic scenes. A temple bell might become a chiming clock. A distant storm is represented by a woman drying herself after a bath.
Modern collectors value these prints for their quiet atmosphere and precise compositions. Harunobu avoided the aggressive energy of later ukiyo-e artists. He chose instead to focus on slender figures and soft colour harmonies. His work captures specific moments of leisure, such as playing cat's cradle or walking by the shore. These scenes offer a calm window into eighteenth-century Japan. They remain popular because they balance historical detail with a clean, graphic sensibility that suits contemporary interiors.
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