The actor Fujimura Handayu II as Nowake no Mae - Okumura Toshinobu

A 1719 woodblock print by Okumura Toshinobu depicting the kabuki actor Fujimura Handayu II in the role of Nowake no Mae.

This woodblock print by Okumura Toshinobu depicts the kabuki actor Fujimura Handayu II in the role of Nowake no Mae. The performance took place at the Ichimura Theater in Edo during the eleventh month of 1719. Toshinobu was a member of the Okumura school, which operated during the early eighteenth century. His work is characteristic of the period, focusing on the theatrical culture of the time.

The figure is rendered in a style typical of early ukiyo-e, where the artist prioritises clear outlines and flat areas of colour. The actor wears a kimono decorated with floral motifs and circular crests, holding a sword with a steady grip. The use of a straw hat adds a sense of travel or disguise to the character. The print is an example of urushi-e, or lacquer-style print, where hand-applied pigments create a specific visual weight. The composition is balanced, placing the actor against a neutral background to draw attention to the costume and the theatrical pose.

Such prints served as souvenirs for theatre-goers, documenting specific performances and the popularity of individual actors. The lines are precise, reflecting the technical requirements of the woodblock medium in the early 1700s. The colour palette is restrained, relying on ochre and black to define the form. This work provides a record of kabuki costume design and the aesthetic preferences of the Genroku and Kyoho eras. It captures a moment of performance, preserving the appearance of a specific actor in a historical production.