Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Iga-no Jutaro 1823

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print depicting the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Iga-no Jutaro. Kunisada lived through a period of social and political upheaval in Japan, marked by the decline of the shogunate and the rise of a merchant class that shaped the cultural landscape and the Kabuki theatre. This print captures a moment of intense emotion, typical of Kabuki theater, with the actor’s exaggerated expression and dramatic pose. The whited face is striking, and it emphasizes the constructed nature of identity within the theatrical space. Prints like this one were not just commercial products. They also played a role in shaping the celebrity of Kabuki actors and in reflecting the social values and norms of the time. Consider how the print, produced for mass consumption, catered to the desires and fantasies of its audience, reflecting the complex interplay between art, commerce, and identity in 19th-century Japan.