Ichikawa Danjūrō V in a Shibaraku Performance

Katsukawa Shunkō

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Ichikawa family was renowned for playing heroic "Shibaraku!" roles. Shown here in such a performance, Danjūrō wears a persimmon red robe with a huge family crest of three nested squares (mimasu) on each of his large sleeves. His face shows red lines on white makeup, and he wears a bizarre wig. Shunkō portrayed Danjūrō V striking a pose (mie) at a climactic moment to make a powerful impression on the audience

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