Description:
Oshiguma; Kabuki; theater; make-up; scroll

Label Text:
Oshiguma is an impression of the Kabuki actor's makeup on a towel of silk, taken right after the performance. It captures the actor's aura--his makeup and face in its unique condition after a particular performance. After the makeup has completely dried, the actor signs the oshiguma and stamps it with his personal seal. The impressions reveal the subtle differences between the makeup of different actors in the same role--for example, AC 2009.108.a and AC 2009.113.c. Oshiguma are mementos of the actor's performance that he gives away to friends and admirers or occasionally sells for a charitable cause.

The colors of the makeup, which is called kumadori, are a symbolic characterization of the figure's nature. Red indicates the protagonist or hero of a play. The vivid color marks his virtue and strength. Blue generally represents ghosts and spirits. Neutral tones, including gray and brown, stand for natural creatures such as animals and some demons.

BJ, 2013

Tags:
art; painting; drawing; color theory; text; abstract; symbolism; symbolism; shape; red; actors; Japanese-American; performing artists; faces

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=AC+2009.108.a%2Cb

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.