An Actor's Image in a Sake Cup

Toyoshige, also known as Toyokuni II, was a pupil and son-in-law of Utagawa Toyokuni (1769–1825). Since Toyoshige closely followed Toyokuni's late style, his works are often misidentified as his teacher's. A large red-lacquer sake cup at the upper right, balanced on a branch of plum blossoms and corresponding to a small sake cup that the woman is holding, reflects the image of a Kabuki actor.

Credit: Purchase, Jack Greene Gift, 2001