May Section
1791
Long before he painted the Great Wave, a young Katsushika Hokusai—signing here as 'Shunro'—was capturing the electric energy of the Kabuki theater. This 1791 print, 'Gogatsu no bu' (May Section), freezes three actors in a dramatic tableau, their bodies twisted in classic 'mie' poses. The central figure commands attention with a tall black hat topped by a red sun, while all three wear matching red robes patterned with leaves, suggesting a specific scene or troupe. It’s a vibrant snapshot of Edo-period pop culture, proving that even the world's most famous landscape artist started out as a master of human drama.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Paper
Views: 4