Artwork preview

An Actor with a Sword Ready to Strike

Katsukawa Shunkō

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image depicts a man in a dynamic pose, holding a sword. He wears an orange and beige robe with a checkered pattern on the sleeves and hem. A decorative circular object adorns his waist. The man has long hair tied back, and his facial expression appears intense. He stands on a wooden floor with his right leg slightly raised and his left foot flat, as if preparing to strike. The sword is held in his right hand, with the blade curved upward and to the right. The hilt is wrapped in a material that may be leather or fabric. The man's left hand grasps the scabbard, which hangs from his belt. The background is a stark black, providing contrast to the subject. A small section of text appears vertically along the right edge of the image. The overall composition suggests a scene of action or drama, possibly from a theatrical performance.

Artwork details

Medium:
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Culture:
Japan
Dimensions:
282 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette

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