Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō VII as Nikki Danjō

Artist Shin’ei (Japanese)

Dateca. 1920-1929

MediumWoodblock print; ink and color on paper

DimensionsSheet: 15 1/4 × 10 1/8 inches (38.74 × 25.72 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: the Asian Art Acquisition Fund in memory of Laurence Sickman

Object number2026.22.3

On View

Not on view

Terms

DescriptionThis is a bust portrait depicts the celebrated Kabuki actor Matsumoto Kōshirō VII in the role of Nikki Danjō 仁木弾正, the infamous antagonist of the Kabuki play Meiboku sendai hagi 伽羅先代萩 (Precious Incense and Autumn Flowers of Sendai), who is a sorcerous figure capable of transforming into a rat in his attempt to seize political power.
The actor is depicted in the heightened expression characteristic of Kabuki villain roles: thick black eye makeup, sharply arched brows, and dramatically downturned lips. A vivid red scar on his forehead identifies the character as Nikki Danjō.
Provenance

Provenance

Purchased from Hanga-do by Darrel C. Karl, Bethesda, MD, ca. 2016;

Purchased from Darrel C. Karl by Scholten Japanese Art, New York, before 2026;

Purchased from Scholten Japanese Art by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; 2026

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