Lesson plan

Shini-e

, also called "death pictures" or "death portraits", are Japanese woodblock prints, 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 were conventionally published with his farewell poem and posthumous name. Memorial portraits were created by ukiyo-e artists to honor a colleague or former teacher who had died. In Osaka, the death of a prominent kabuki actor could prompt several artists to issue commemorative shini-e or tsuizen-e prints simultaneously. Following the death of Arashi Kitsusaburō I in September 1821, for example, several of Osaka's leading print designers issued such prints to mark his career and death.

Back to article

Article summary

, also called "death pictures" or "death portraits", are Japanese woodblock prints, 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 were conventionally published with his farewell poem and posthumous name. Memorial portraits were created by ukiyo-e artists to honor a colleague or former teacher who had died. In Osaka, the death of a prominent kabuki actor could prompt several artists to issue commemorative shini-e or tsuizen-e prints simultaneously. Following the death of Arashi Kitsusaburō I in September 1821, for example, several of Osaka's leading print designers issued such prints to mark his career and death.

Key claims

No claims recorded.

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  3. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

No sources recorded.

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.