The exhibition reveals this dynamic world through the superb prints of Tokyo artist Natori Shunsen. A National Gallery of Australia exhibition.
Stars of the Tokyo stage: Natori Shunsen’s kabuki actor prints reveals the dynamic world of Japan’s kabuki theatre through superb actor portrait prints created by artist Natori Shunsen (1886–1960) in the 1920s and 30s. A selection of spectacular kabuki robes further illustrates and gives context to the extravagance of this theatrical form.
Exclusively from the National Gallery of Australia collection, Stars of the Tokyo stage explores kabuki and modern Japanese printmaking in the context of the astounding changes taking place in Tokyo as the 20th century unfolded.
This is the first time a complete set of prints by Natori Shunsen has been exhibited in Australia and Kabuki costumes are rarely seen off the stage. The exhibition contains forty-seven precious prints and seven stunning, rare costumes and provides a striking insight into the world of Kabuki.
Image above: Natori Shunsen, Okochi Denjiro as Tange Sazen (detail) 1931. Woodblock print printed in colour from multiple blocks, 40.0 x 27.3 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Pauline and John Gandel Fund 2011.
Image below: Natori Shunsen, Nakamura Shikaku II as Shizuka Gozen in ‘Yoshitsune and the thousand cherry trees’ 1926. Woodblock print printed in colour from multiple blocks 39.7 x 27.2 cm (sheet) 38.2 x 25.6 cm (image) Gift of Jennifer Gordon 1998
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