Imaginary portrait, Shuihuzhuan of Stage: Tōryūdai (Mitate Suikoden Tōrōdai) - Actor, Ichikawa Danjūrō plays as Sanjō 1875

This woodblock print was made in Japan by Toyohara Kunichika during the late 19th century. It portrays the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō in the role of Sanjō, in a scene from the popular story "Shuihuzhuan", also known as "Suikoden" in Japan. The print gives us insight into the cultural significance of theater and popular literature during the Meiji era. The actor's elaborate costume, makeup, and pose are all visual cues that would have been immediately recognizable to contemporary audiences familiar with Kabuki theater and the tales of heroism and rebellion found in "Suikoden". Furthermore, the tattoos on the actor's arms speak to a broader fascination with body art and its association with masculine ideals and the working classes. To fully understand this print, we might research Kabuki theater, the "Suikoden" tale, and the social history of tattoos in Japan. By looking at this artwork through multiple lenses we appreciate its role in the cultural landscape of its time.