Ichikawa Danjuro V as a Chivalrous Commoner (Gonin Otoko) from the Play "Hatsumonbi kuruwa Soga"

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Famous actors are dressed as chivalrous commoners (otokodate), the fearless street toughs who protected ordinary people from lawless hatamoto samurai. Here, the actors strike their characteristic poses (mie), with Danjuro V appearing leftmost. Shunsho presents the five in kimono on which is the emblem of each particular role, along with actor's family crest. In the designs on Danjuro V's costume are the character sen under crossed hammers on the outer garment (haori) and the family crest of three nested squares on his inner garment, which is partially obscured.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art