Stars of the Tokyo Stage: Natori Shunsen's Kabuki Actor Prints

Though out of stock for a few months when I ran across it, this small volume of vibrant woodblock prints of Kabuki portraits proved worth the wait upon arrival. I've loved the expressiveness in Natori Shunsen's portraiture since I first saw his work years ago in a volume of shin hanga prints by various practitioners of the craft, and to finally have this single text devoted to his work at reviving the Edo-era tradition of theatre prints is a delight. The pictures I love best are the arresting close-ups with their intense expressions and fine costume and cosmetic details, making one feel the dynamism of the actors behind the elaborate makeup and coiffures. If you've had the pleasure of seeing Kabuki live and delighted in its theatrics, or if you are a student of Japanese history with a passion for the Taisho era and its rich art that blends old and new, Eastern and Western, or if you simply love great modern prints detailing human expression in all its variety--from scowls to sneers to smiles and more--you will surely like this book.

Great survey of a great artist. As a bonus there is discussion of the prints of Torii Tadakiyo.

2014年12月時点で日本で販売されている画集はないらしく、オーストラリア国立美術館で開催された展覧会のこの英語版の図録だけが、唯一入手可能でした。サイズは小さく、ページ数も少なく、全て英語による解説ですので、モデルとなった役者の名前や経歴も自分で調べないといけないという不便さが日本人としては残念です。未だ海外での人気に比べて、国内での人気や認知度が低いことが原因のようです。同じく新版画ブームを牽引した川瀬巴水の画集が相次いで発売されていることから、今後名取春仙の作品を紹介する画集が日本でも出版されることを希望します。