The Actor Ichikawa Ebizo III as Matsuomaru in the play <em>Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy</em>

Katsukawa Shunko 勝川春好 (1743-1812) · 18th century

The kabuki play Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy (Sugawara denju tenarai kagami) relates the story of Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), a courtier and calligrapher who died in exile due to maneuvers by his enemies at court. Here the actor Ichikawa Ebizo III (formerly Ichikawa Danjuro IV, 1712-1778) plays Matsuomaru, a samurai attendant to Fujiwara no Tokijira (871-909), one of the courtiers who plotted against Michizane. With his features fixed in a menacing stare, the actor strikes a pose in a scene of confrontation. The actor wears a courtier's hat and carries a tall umbrella covered with a white case.