Shunsen's 36-print actor series (1925–1929) was limited to ~150 subscribed copies per design — one of the smallest editions of any major shin-hanga publisher. Portraits of celebrated grand-lineage actors are the most contested at auction; the artist record is $7,575 at Bonhams New York (2020).
This 1927 print presents two actors in their paired roles from Meido no Hikyaku (The Courier from the Underworld): Ichikawa Shocho II as Umegawa, the courtesan whose love for Chubei sets the tragedy in motion, and Kataoka Gado XII as Chubei himself. Shunsen's composition places the two figures in dialogue, their contrasting costumes — her elaborate courtesan dress against his simpler merchant attire — telling the story of their different social worlds even before the drama begins. The rendering of Shocho's onnagata artistry is particularly fine, the femininity constructed through precise control of posture and gaze.
Woodblock print
歌舞伎
Woodblock print
1955
Woodblock print
1928
Color lithograph
1930
Color lithograph
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Actors Ichikawa Shōchō II as Umegawa and Kataoka Gadō XII as Chūbei was created by Natori Shunsen (名取春仙) in 1927.
Actors Ichikawa Shōchō II as Umegawa and Kataoka Gadō XII as Chūbei was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1927).
Actors Ichikawa Shōchō II as Umegawa and Kataoka Gadō XII as Chūbei depicts kabuki.
Actors Ichikawa Shōchō II as Umegawa and Kataoka Gadō XII as Chūbei measures 38.6 × 25.6 cm (Oban format).