Oba-ga-zaki (Kyôgen), from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo made this woodblock print, Oba-ga-zaki, as part of his series "Pictures of No Performances" in Japan. This print offers a glimpse into the world of Noh theater, a highly stylized form of traditional Japanese drama. The performance captures not only the visual spectacle, but also the social dynamics surrounding this art form. The audience, arranged in tiers, suggests a structured hierarchy typical of Japanese society at the time. Noh theater was supported by the elite classes and the samurai, and the seating arrangements reflected the cultural and political values of the time. Kôgyo's art raises questions about the relationship between art, power, and social identity. Careful research into theater programs, social commentaries, and audience reviews from the time, would help us to better understand how Noh performances functioned as cultural events that reinforced or challenged social norms.