standing figure looks over left shoulder in direction of moon; clenches sword sheath in mouth, holds cloak up with left hand, and carries a white lantern with kanji in right hand; he wears a dark blue garment with floral pattern and red lining and a light blue obi; robe has embossed edging; sword grip visible across center of his body--green, yellow, and orange; composing the background are green trees and a dark blue sky with a glowing full moon obscured slightly by a hint of smoky cloud cover; a pink and blue flower with five petals floats at TL and contains characters; three cartouches with characters to left of figure in trees--two white and one yellow; a circle with characters floats above larger of the two white cartouches

Autumn Moon at Sunamura: Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Ōdera Shōbei, 1865, 7th lunar month

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Since the 17th century, The Eight Views–originally referring to scenic spots around the Chinese Xiao and Xiang Rivers–has been a well-established theme in Japanese art.

Here, the eight locales are taken from famous places in the city of Edo (present-day Tokyo) and are juxtaposed with popular actors in the roles of well-known thieves and robbers. Kabuki plays on the underworld were popular during the mid-19th century, especially during the hot summer months when this series was put on the market, as the storylines were meant to give viewers a chill.

Details
Title
Autumn Moon at Sunamura: Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Ōdera Shōbei
Artist Life
1835 - 1900
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.33.2.7
Curator Approved

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standing figure looks over left shoulder in direction of moon; clenches sword sheath in mouth, holds cloak up with left hand, and carries a white lantern with kanji in right hand; he wears a dark blue garment with floral pattern and red lining and a light blue obi; robe has embossed edging; sword grip visible across center of his body--green, yellow, and orange; composing the background are green trees and a dark blue sky with a glowing full moon obscured slightly by a hint of smoky cloud cover; a pink and blue flower with five petals floats at TL and contains characters; three cartouches with characters to left of figure in trees--two white and one yellow; a circle with characters floats above larger of the two white cartouches