Shini-e

Shini-e of Kunisada by Kunichika, 1864

Shini-e (死絵, "Memorial prints"), also called "death pictures" or "death portraits", are Japanese woodblock prints,[1] particularly those done in the ukiyo-e style popular through the Edo period (1603-1867) and into the beginnings of the 20th century

When a kabuki actor died, memorial portraits shini-e were conventionally published with his farewell poem and posthumous name.[2]

Memorial portraits were created by ukiyo-e artists to honor a colleague or former teacher who had died.

Gallery

See also

Notes

  1. Takeuchi, Melinda. (2005). "Shini-e (Memorial Pictures)," in The Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints, p. 594.
  2. Keyes, Roger et al. (1973). The Theatrical World of Osaka Prints, p. 320; Chin, Connie and Melinda Takeuchi. "Actors' Death Prints: Discovery of a New Genre." Horizons (Center for East Asian Studies, Stanford University) Fall 2005, p. 7.

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