Ichikawa Danjūrō IX was one of the most successful and famous Kabuki actors of the Meiji period (1868–1912).
Ninth in the line of actors to hold the name Ichikawa Danjūrō, he is depicted in countless ukiyo-e actor prints (yakusha-e), and is widely credited with ensuring Kabuki stayed vibrant and strong as Japan struggled with modernization and Westernization.
