{"product_id":"an-actor-with-a-sword-ready-to-strike-katsukawa-shunko","title":"An Actor with a Sword Ready to Strike - Katsukawa Shunkō","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunkō, depicting a Kabuki actor in a dramatic mie pose with a sword.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunkō captures a dramatic moment from the Kabuki theatre. The artist belonged to the Katsukawa school, which gained recognition for its realistic depictions of actors, moving away from the stylised, idealised portraits common in earlier Ukiyo-e works. This genre, known as yakusha-e, functioned as a form of celebrity portraiture for the theatre-going public of Edo-period Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition focuses on the actor in a mie pose, a climactic stance where the performer freezes to express intense emotion. The figure holds a katana, his body twisted to convey tension and readiness. Shunkō employs bold, clean lines to define the actor's features, particularly the exaggerated expression and the musculature of the legs. The use of a dark, solid background serves to push the figure forward, ensuring the viewer focuses on the actor's posture and the sharp angle of the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colour palette is restrained, relying on earthy tones and muted oranges to balance the starkness of the dark backdrop. The actor wears a patterned kimono, which adds a layer of visual texture without distracting from the primary action. The print demonstrates the technical skill of the carvers and printers who worked alongside Shunkō, maintaining clarity in the fine details of the sword hilt and the fabric folds. Such prints were often produced as souvenirs or promotional materials for specific plays, allowing fans to collect images of their favourite performers in iconic roles. This work remains a clear example of the Katsukawa school's focus on individual characterisation and the theatrical energy of the Kabuki stage.\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=\"\/products\/moon-pine-in-ueno-utagawa-hiroshige\" 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;\"\u003eMoon Pine in Ueno - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nihonbashi-from-the-series-thirty-six-views-of-the-eastern-capital-utagawa-hiroshige-ii\" 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;\"\u003eNihonbashi, from the series Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital - Utagawa Hiroshige II — Utagawa Hiroshige II\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Katsukawa Shunkō","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58889760178511,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58889773023567,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58889773056335,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58889773089103,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58889773121871,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58889773154639,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58889773187407,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58889773220175,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58889773252943,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58889773285711,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58889773318479,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58889773351247,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/An-Actor-with-a-Sword-Ready-to-Strike_Poster_CompositorV1_1790395232901.jpg?v=1790396396","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/an-actor-with-a-sword-ready-to-strike-katsukawa-shunko","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}