{"product_id":"the-actor-nakamura-takesaburo-i-as-kewaizaka-no-shosho-torii-kiyonobu-i","title":"The Actor Nakamura Takesaburo I as Kewaizaka no Shosho - Torii Kiyonobu I","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I, capturing the kabuki actor Nakamura Takesaburo I in a dynamic, stylised pose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I depicts the kabuki actor Nakamura Takesaburo I in the role of Kewaizaka no Shosho. As a founder of the Torii school, Kiyonobu I established the visual language for early ukiyo-e, particularly the genre of yakusha-e, or actor prints. The Torii school held a monopoly on the production of kabuki playbills and promotional materials for the Edo theatres, which informed the bold, calligraphic line work seen here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition utilises the 'hyotan-ashi' or 'gourd-legged' style, a characteristic aesthetic of the period where the actor is rendered with exaggerated, fluid limbs and a dynamic posture. This technique captures the stylised movement of the kabuki stage, conveying a sense of performance rather than static portraiture. The figure is adorned in a kimono featuring patterns of gourds and plum blossoms, rendered with hand-applied colour typical of the urushi-e (lacquer print) technique. The limited palette of yellow, soft orange, and black ink creates a balanced visual harmony, allowing the expressive lines to define the form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKiyonobu I was instrumental in documenting the theatrical culture of the Genroku era. His work provides a window into the fashion and performance styles of the time. The print is not merely a record of an actor but a piece of commercial art designed to circulate among the theatre-going public of Edo. The signature of the artist is visible on the left, alongside the publisher's seal. This print reflects the early development of the ukiyo-e medium, where the focus remained on the dramatic presence of the performer and the graphic quality of the woodblock line. The print is a representative example of the Torii school's contribution to the visual history of Japanese theatre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/the-actor-bando-matakuro-i-torii-kiyonobu-i\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Actor Bando Matakuro I by Torii Kiyonobu I\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/actor-ichikawa-danjuro-5th-as-moriya-no-daijin-disguised-as-rokujurokubu-katsukawa-shunsho\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eActor Ichikawa Danjūrō 5th as Moriya no Daijin disguised as Rokujūrokubu by Katsukawa Shunshō\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/collections\/torii-kiyonobu\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2a555a;border:1px solid #2a555a;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#ffffff;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eTorii Kiyonobu artwork →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Torii Kiyonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58982343541071,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58982343606607,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58982343704911,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58982343737679,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58982343803215,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Actor-Nakamura-Takesaburo-I-as-Kewaizaka-no-Shosho_Poster_CompositorV1_1790910925830.jpg?v=1790911882","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/en-nz\/products\/the-actor-nakamura-takesaburo-i-as-kewaizaka-no-shosho-torii-kiyonobu-i","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}