Japan: Two actors, Bandô Mitsugorô III (above) and Segawa Kikunojô V. 'Shini-e' memorial print, 1832

Memorial prints, also called 'death prints' and 'shini-e' commemorated the death of actors, artists and musicians, but the vast majority commemorated kabuki actors. They typically portray the recently deceased actor in light blue robes (shini sôzoku), and often include such information as the date of death, age, posthumous Buddhist name (kaimyô), and place of burial. The largest production of memorial prints followed the suicide of Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII on August 8, 1854. Many memorial prints are unsigned, and were produced by artists of very modest talent in response to a large demand from the deceased actor’s fans.

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