47 Kiyotada IV Torii 1875 – 1941 Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as the Ghost of Kagekiyo

from the series The Eighteen Great Kabuki Plays (Kabuki juhachiban)
published by Hasegawa Sumi

The print portrays the renowned actor Ichikawa Danjūrō IX (1838–1903) as the ghost of the warrior Kagekiyo from the play Gedatsu (“Spiritual Release”). The terrifying spirit, painted in full kumadori makeup, symbolizes both the physical and spiritual power of the samurai hero in aragoto style—an embodiment of divine possession (hitokami).

The play, adapted from a noh drama, takes place shortly after the Gempei Civil War (1180–85). During a memorial service for the defeated Taira clan, the temple bell refuses to ring. A mysterious samurai hides beneath it, later emerging as the ghost of Kagekiyo to avenge the Taira. His spirit is finally pacified when the robe of a saint is placed on his shoulders, granting him enlightenment (gedatsu).

Part of the celebrated Kabuki juhachiban repertoire adopted by the Ichikawa family in 1832, this 1896 print exemplifies the peak of Meiji-period woodblock printing. Designed collaboratively by Torii Kiyosada (1844–1901) and his son Tadakiyo, it displays extraordinary technical mastery—rich embossing, dense color, and luxurious printing.