The Actor Yamanaka Heikuro I c. 1705

Torii Kiyonobu I created this woodblock print of the actor Yamanaka Heikuro I in Japan during the late 17th or early 18th century. The print gives us insight into the rising status of actors and the Kabuki theatre in Japanese society. We see Yamanaka Heikuro I depicted here in an exaggerated pose, part of the "aragoto" or rough style, popularized by the Ichikawa Danjuro line of actors. The outsized features and dramatic expression would have been instantly recognizable visual cues, distinguishing the specific acting lineage and its associated cultural values. The actor's performance reflects wider shifts in Japanese society, as urban merchant classes grew in power and influence, finding their own forms of entertainment and cultural expression. Examining these prints through historical records such as playbills, diaries, and government documents, helps us understand the complex interplay between art, commerce, and social change in the Edo period.