The actor Kataoka Nizaemon Vll as Iyo no Taro in the play "Seiwa Nidai Oyose Genji," performed at the Miyako Theater in the eleventh month, 1796 1796

Utagawa Kunimasa created this woodblock print in Japan, in 1796. It depicts the actor Kataoka Nizaemon Vll in the role of Iyo no Taro. Woodblock prints like this one emerged as a popular art form during the Edo period. Here, the expressive portrayal of the actor embodies the flamboyant and stylized performance style of Kabuki theatre. The exaggerated makeup, the intense gaze, and the dynamic pose are all visual codes that would have been immediately recognizable to contemporary audiences. This print served not only as a record of a specific performance, but also as a form of celebrity endorsement. By studying theater programs, playbills, and other ephemera, we can better understand the social significance of Kabuki. Through theater, the public had the freedom to express social commentary. This artwork reminds us that art is always embedded in a particular time and place.