Yamamoto Iwanojō as Shinoda Zuma - Torii Kiyonobu II

A classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu II, depicting a kabuki actor in a theatrical role with delicate pink and green colouration.

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu II depicts the kabuki actor Yamamoto Iwanojō in the role of Shinoda Zuma. The work belongs to the yakusha-e genre, which focuses on the portrayal of actors from the popular theatre of the Edo period. Kiyonobu II, a member of the Torii school, maintained the stylistic conventions established by his predecessors, prioritising bold outlines and expressive poses that capture the dramatic essence of a stage performance.

The composition features the actor standing beneath a flowering tree, carrying a pole across his shoulders. The figure is dressed in a kimono adorned with circular motifs and floral patterns, demonstrating the attention to textile design common in ukiyo-e prints. Beside the actor, a small frame containing a silhouette of a rat is positioned on the ground, adding a narrative element to the scene. The print is executed in the benizuri-e style, a technique that introduced limited colour, typically pink and green, to the traditional black-and-white ink prints.

The lines are clean and deliberate, defining the contours of the actor's robes and the delicate blossoms above. The background remains minimal, allowing the viewer to focus on the actor's posture and the specific details of his costume. This print serves as a record of a specific theatrical production, documenting both the actor's appearance and the aesthetic preferences of the time. The inclusion of Japanese calligraphy provides context regarding the actor's identity and the nature of the performance. As a piece of historical documentation, it offers insight into the intersection of visual art and popular entertainment in eighteenth-century Japan.