Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Ushiwaka no Genji in the Kabuki play A Parody of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Mitate Sangokushi-Ushiwaka no Genji) 1868

Toyohara Kunichika created this woodblock print depicting Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Ushiwaka no Genji, a character in the Kabuki play “A Parody of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. Kunichika lived during a transformative period in Japan, witnessing the shift from the Edo to the Meiji era. This print reflects the cultural landscape of the time, where traditional art forms like Kabuki were both celebrated and reinterpreted in the face of modernization. The actor, Ichimura Kakitsu, embodies Ushiwaka, a figure known for his beauty and skill. By placing a male actor in this role, Kabuki traditions challenge gender norms through performance. The print itself plays on these themes, celebrating the fluidity and constructedness of identity. The vibrant colors and stylized depiction of the actor capture a moment of cultural expression, reflecting the tensions between history and modernity. It invites us to consider how identities are performed, negotiated, and immortalized through art.