Kabuki Theater (Right screen)
歌舞伎図屏風（右隻）
Hishikawa Moronobu · 17th century (Edo period) · Folding screen
Right screen of a six-panel pair. Image: Source: ColBase (Work page (opens in a new tab)) (reduced in size on this site) Public Data License 2.0 of the Government of Japan (compatible with CC BY 4.0) (opens in a new tab) View larger
The right screen of the Important Cultural Property "Kabuki Theater" by Hishikawa Moronobu is a 17th-century (Edo period) six-panel screen showing the entrance, stage, and audience of the Nakamura-za theater. It is held by the Tokyo National Museum.
- Artist
- Hishikawa Moronobu
- Date
- 17th century (Edo period)
- Medium / format
- Folding screen
About this work
This is the right screen of a pair of six-panel screens in which Hishikawa Moronobu, an ukiyo-e artist of the early Edo period, depicted a kabuki theater. It is color on paper, and each screen measures 170.0 x 397.6 cm. It is designated an Important Cultural Property. It is about 20 cm taller than an ordinary screen and may have been made on special order.
On the right side of the screen is the entrance of the playhouse called Nakamura-za, with signboards on both sides listing the plays and men calling in customers. Going inside, there is a stage where the actors, all appearing together, dance gorgeously. The audience, sitting on the ground and looking up, enjoy themselves as they please, chatting and laughing, and there are children watching on their mothers' laps and a mother nursing a baby. At the sides of the stage are women of apparently high status watching through bamboo blinds, and men in seats partitioned by screens.
Down to each person's expression, gestures, and fashion, both performers and viewers are depicted in fine and lively detail, conveying the energy of the playhouse.
Where can I see it?
Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.
Museums that hold this work
- Tokyo National MuseumMuseum's page for this work (opens in a new tab)
Taito City, Tokyo Accession no. A-11084-1
Plan your visit to Tokyo National Museum
Find places to stay, activities and rental cars for a visit to Tokyo National Museum, which holds "Kabuki Theater (Right screen)".
Frequently asked questions
- Who painted Kabuki Theater (Right screen), and when?
- Kabuki Theater (Right screen) is by Hishikawa Moronobu, made in 17th century (Edo period). Medium: Folding screen.
- Where can I see Kabuki Theater (Right screen)?
- It is held by Tokyo National Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.
Sources and references
- ColBase (Tokyo National Museum) (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
More from Tokyo
Discover more of the same region on our sister sites.