American Go E-Journal

Go Spotting: Chazen Museum of Art

Wednesday August 14, 2019

“During Go Congress, I visited the Chazen Museum of Art at UW and found this Japanese print,” writes Li Ping. “It is a Samurai standing on top of a Go set.”

The woodcut is by Katsukawa Shunshô, who was known for “his widely influential nise-e (“likeness painting”) or nigao (“likenesses”), which were stylized but otherwise accurate facial likenesses of actors. These introduced a greater measure of realism and individuation into ukiyo-e actor portraits.” (Source.)

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as a Samurai in a Wrestling Arena
Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726 – 1792) "The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as a Samurai in a Wrestling Arena" ca. 1780 Color woodcut Bequest of John H. Van Vleck
Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726 – 1792) “The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as a Samurai in a Wrestling Arena” ca. 1780 Color woodcut Bequest of John H. Van Vleck

-edited by Nate Eagle