Arashi Rikan II as Danshichi Kurobei — Antique Asian Art Print

The Story in the Margin

This print captures the Osaka kabuki actor Arashi Rikan II in the role of Danshichi Kurobei, the fisherman-turned-tragic-hero of Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami ('Mirror of Naniwa: The Summer Festival'), in its notorious night-murder scene. Rikan II was the favorite subject of Osaka print designer Shunbaisai Hokuei, who worked in the region's distinctive style of actor prints—more theatrical and expressive than Edo's—often using metallic pigments and embossing to heighten the drama, as in this 1832 design. The play remains one of kabuki's most enduring depictions of loyalty curdling into violence under the summer heat.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.