Ichikawa Monnosuke as Miuraya Shiratama

Date:: Sept. 1989
Medium:: Woodblock print
Source:: japancoll

Typical Price

Key value factors: For living or recently deceased artists, limited edition size and gallery representation drive value. Signed and numbered prints from smaller editions are most desirable.

Common examples: $100–$400
Good impressions: $400–$1,500
Premium/scarce: $1,500–$5,000

Description

Ichikawa Monnosuke takes the stage as Miuraya Shiratama in this September 1989 woodblock print. Shiratama is a courtesan of the Miuraya house — a character from the pleasure-quarter plays (kuruwa-mono) that form one of kabuki's major dramatic categories. The name Shiratama means "white jewel" or "white ball," suggesting purity and preciousness, and the role demands an onnagata who can project both the public elegance expected of a high-ranking courtesan and the private emotional life that drives the plot. Kokei renders the actor's portrayal with attention to the layers of kimono, the elaborate hairstyle, and the composed expression that defines this character's public face.