Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)

In this design, the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII is depicted as Soga no Goro in a play based on the story of the revenge of the Soga brothers on their father's murderer, Suketsune. The actor is shown on a battledoor, with poems to each side, each signed Mifushihiki and Matsunoya Sononari.

The high-quality nature of surimono is evident here, with the application of gold and silver metallic pigments, as well details embellished with blind printing, creating subtle patterns to the face, hand and battledore.

For another surimono by Kunisada also depicting Ichikawa Danjuro VII, and with a similar striking blue ground, in the collection of Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, go to:
https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/208227