Kiyonaga Torii
Young Boy as a sambasō dancer, um 1790
About the object
A dancing boy is wearing a black patent leather hat (eboshi). In one hand he holds a hinoki fan adorned with depiction of a pine as an auspicious New Year charm, in the other an okina mask (okinamen) with the face of an old man expressing wisdom. This boy is parodying the Okina, an old Noh play performed at New Year. The dance is normally performed by adult men. However, artists often made parodic prints as well featuring children and women in the part.