The Actor Bando Hikosaburo III in the Role of Kanshojo 1796

This is a woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei, depicting the actor Bando Hikosaburo III in the role of Kanshojo. Shun'ei was a leading artist of *ukiyo-e* prints, which flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Meaning "pictures of the floating world," *ukiyo-e* prints captured the ephemeral pleasures of urban life. The focus was less on landscapes and more on the licensed pleasure districts, the popular Kabuki theater, and the lives of courtesans and actors. The patronage of these prints came largely from the merchant class, a rising social group barred from political power, but with a disposable income. The Kabuki theatre became a social leveler where the lives of the actors became public property. Shun'ei's print, therefore, immortalizes not just a theatrical performance, but a moment in the cultural life of Japan. To further understand these prints, one would delve into the social history of the Edo period, the history of Kabuki theatre, and the biographies of the actors who captivated audiences.