{"product_id":"iwai-hanshiro-iv-in-a-dance-of-seven-changes-katsukawa-shunei","title":"Iwai Hanshiro IV in a Dance of Seven Changes - Katsukawa Shunei","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunei, capturing the kabuki actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in a series of theatrical transformations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunei depicts the kabuki actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in a series of roles, a performance style known as 'henge mono' or a dance of transformations. Shunei, a member of the Katsukawa school, was known for his focus on the expressive qualities of the actor rather than the idealised beauty often found in other schools of the period. The composition is dense, layering multiple figures to represent the rapid succession of characters portrayed by the actor during a single performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print employs a muted palette, typical of the late eighteenth-century ukiyo-e aesthetic, where soft ochres, greens, and faded reds dominate the visual field. Each figure is rendered with distinct posture and costume, reflecting the specific archetypes of the kabuki stage. The actor is shown in various states of movement, from the seated flute player at the base to the standing figure holding a peony branch at the top. The lines are precise, capturing the specific facial features and theatrical gestures that define the actor's persona.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatsukawa Shunei was a student of Katsukawa Shunsho and maintained the school's tradition of realistic actor portraiture. This work demonstrates the technical skill required to balance multiple figures within a single frame without sacrificing the clarity of individual characterisation. The print serves as a record of a specific theatrical event, capturing the ephemeral nature of the kabuki performance. The arrangement of the figures creates a sense of motion, guiding the eye through the various transformations of the actor. The work remains a fine example of the actor-print genre, which was popular among the urban population of Edo period Japan.\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\/ladies-surrounding-a-cart-utamaro-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;\"\u003eLadies Surrounding a Cart - Utamaro II — Utamaro II\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/a-party-of-merrymakers-in-a-house-in-the-yoshiwara-on-a-moonlight-night-kitagawa-utamaro\" 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;\"\u003eA Party of Merrymakers in a House in the Yoshiwara on a Moonlight Night - Kitagawa Utamaro — Kitagawa Utamaro\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Katsukawa Shun'ei","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59086259650895,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59086263714127,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59086263746895,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59086263779663,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59086263812431,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59086263845199,"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":59086263877967,"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":59086263910735,"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":59086263943503,"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":59086263976271,"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":59086264009039,"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":59086264041807,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Iwai-Hanshiro-IV-in-a-Dance-of-Seven-Changes_Poster_CompositorV1_1791678249732.jpg?v=1791678822","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/iwai-hanshiro-iv-in-a-dance-of-seven-changes-katsukawa-shunei","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}