Ichikawa Danjûrô VII en Segawa Kikunojô V in het toneelstuk Shibaraku 1819

Katsukawa Shuntei created this woodblock print depicting actors in the play Shibaraku. It’s an artwork deeply embedded in the cultural and institutional world of Edo-period Japan. The print captures Ichikawa Danjûrô VII and Segawa Kikunojô V in character. This wasn’t just a depiction of individual actors, but an engagement with the highly codified world of Kabuki theatre. Kabuki was more than mere entertainment; it was a social event with its own sets of traditions, hierarchies, and expectations. The exaggerated costumes and makeup are visual cues, signaling the roles and meanings within the play. To truly understand this print, we need to delve into the history of Kabuki, its relationship to the ruling classes, and its role as a space for social commentary. Museum archives, playbills, and contemporary accounts can shed light on the cultural significance of works like this. In doing so, we recognize that art isn't created in a vacuum but within a complex web of social and institutional forces.