DANJURO AS TOKIMUNE GORO - MOTOMATSU

Ichikawa Danjuro as Goro sharpening a gigantic arrow on a Mimasu seal. Nothing is known of the artist. Motomatsu is known only by this striking design. Exceptionally rare. Illustrated Ward 100 Surimono at #79.

The Pilgrim - Shun'ei Katsukawa

Ichikawa Danjuro by night, in the role of rokuju-rokubu, or pilgrim to the sixty six  Buddhist Shrines in as many provinces. He wears a portable shrine on his back and holds a shakujo staff in his hands with a mokugyo attached to his waistband. A fine and famous design. cir 1780

 Ukiyo-e painter, print maker (1762 - 1819). A man of diverse interests: musician, a devotee of the theatre, a painter of witty sketches and caricatures. Lived in Edo. Brilliant pupil of Katsukawa Shunsho, whose surname he adopted. Specialized in actor prints and scenes from plays, giving an individual and at times biting characterization to his portraits. May have started the fashion for okudi-e of actors, though many critics credit Shunko with this innovation.At his best from 1791 to 1795, influencing both Sharaku and Toyokuni. Also illustrated books, including the seven volumes of Shibai Kimmo Zui (An Encyclopedia of the Theatre). By 1800 one of most prominent ukiyo-e figures and leader of the Katsukawa school.