Bandô Mitsugorô III in the role of Jûrô Sukenari 1807

This woodblock print, made by Utagawa Toyokuni I in Japan, depicts the actor Bandô Mitsugorô III in the role of Jûrô Sukenari. Here, we see the institutional and social role of theater and printmaking in 19th-century Japan. Japanese woodblock prints had a variety of social functions. As a vehicle for artistic expression and cultural commentary, they shaped public opinion. During the Edo period, actors were popular figures, akin to modern-day celebrities. Publishers produced prints like this one to promote actors and plays, fueling fan culture in a way that would be recognizable today. Toyokuni's print captures a specific actor in a specific role, inviting viewers to admire both the performer and the character he embodies. Looking at this print requires us to consider the interplay between art, entertainment, and society. We can research the theatrical traditions, the lives of actors, and the economics of print production to deepen our understanding of Japanese culture.