Listening to the Sound of Bouncing Ball (Matsumoto Kōshirō IV), 1787-1795
Katsukawa Shunchōexpand_more
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr.expand_more P.75.51.101
Not on Viewexpand_more
The growing popularity of Kabuki and the rising fame of its actors precipitated public interest in all aspects of actors' lives. Print designers responded by depicting actors engaged in activities outside the theater. Shunshø, the founder of the Katsukawa School, pioneered this genre, but it was also a specialty of his pupil, Shunchø. Here, Shunchø renders Matsumoto Køshirø IV (1737-1802) walking down a street with his attendant. The poem in the upper right corner, composed by the actor himself, explains the scene:
Cherry flowers are in bloom behind the fence
from which the sound of a bouncing ball is coming.
How tasteful it is!
Details
- Title
- Listening to the Sound of Bouncing Ball (Matsumoto Kōshirō IV)
- Artist Life
- fl.c.1780 - 1795
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.75.51.101
- Curator Approved
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