Japanese Print "Actor Iwai Hanshirō V as a Court Lady" by Utagawa Toyokuni I
Artist:Utagawa Toyokuni I
Title:Actor Iwai Hanshirō V as a Court Lady
Date:1806, 2nd month
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Source:Worcester Art Museum
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Description:
Depicted here is one of the stages of a hayagawari dance. In the dance, a single kabuki actor—here, Iwai Hanshirō V (1776-1847) — goes through a series of quick costume changes during a performance. This theatrical trick, known as keren, entailed a variety of techniques such as removing upper layers of clothing, altering makeup, covering the shaved portions of their hair to assume a female role, or having stage assistants supply additional accessories. Prints such as this were intended to showcase Hanshirō V’s ability to channel the identity the character he embodies, in this case a haughty woman from the imperial court. Hanshirō V remains recognizable, though, due to his distinct oval face, long straight nose, and signature impish smile. Originally, there were seven pictures in the series, indicating that Hanshirō was performing a nanabake, or “seven change dance.” It is possible that these prints were once part of a set of hayagawari-e (“quick change pictures”), and that they were connected, either by hinges or by being printed onto a single sheet, so the viewer’s eye could seamlessly follow the dance’s progression. The decorative paper edges and trimming suggest that they were once pasted into an album.