The actor Ichikawa Komazo III as Ashigaru Sanpei

Shunko, a founder of the Katsukawa school, was well known for close-up portraits of actors. This print is thought to depict the actor Ichikawa Komazo III as he appeared during the Kabuki play Komachi Village: New Year at the Theater, performed in 1789. Komazo III’s distinctive prominent nose would identify him to fans, who would also recognize the crest of nested boxes surrounding the character taka on the shoulder of his robe. He looks diagonally up to his right, capturing the essence of a dramatic moment in the play. All of the prints by Shunko in this format are thought to date to a single thirteen-month period, spanning the eleventh month of 1788 through the eleventh month of 1789.