Ichikawa Danjūrō II in the Scene "Wait a Moment" (Shibaraku)

Torii Kiyotada

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In the first half of the eighteenth century the production of prints of Kabuki actors was dominated by artists of the Torii-family school. Kiyotada, a student of Torii Kiyonobu, the school's founder, portrayed the actor Danjūrō II (1688–1758) in a "Shibaraku!" role. Danjūrō II is captured here in an acting pose at the moment he strides vigorously forward on the runway to the stage (hanamichi). The boldly designed costume features the Ichikawa family crest of three nested squares (mimasu).

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