Explore the Arashi Rikan II about the Subject of this artwork.
After spending the first two decades of his career on the stages of Osaka's minor hamashibai (浜芝居) theatres, Arashi Rikan II (二代目嵐璃寛) (1788-1837) went on to become a celebrated kabuki actor specializing in tachiyaku (立役) male roles. In 1828, he took the name Rikan II. He worked until his death in 1837, and was buried on the grounds of Osaka’s Jōgen-ji Temple. The Arashi Rikan line continued into the fifth generation, dying out in 1920.Though small in stature, Rikan II was famous for his striking eyes. He was given the moniker metoku (目徳), me meaning 'eyes' and toku meaning 'virtue.' He was the particular favourite of artist Shunbaisai Hokuei (fl. c.1824-1837) and appears in most of his prints.
kabuki Shunbaisai Hokuei Osaka