Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Arajishi Otokonosuke 1829

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print, depicting the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII, during the Edo period in Japan, a time when Kabuki theatre was hugely popular. Kunisada elevates Danjūrō, from actor to icon, by capturing him here as Arajishi Otokonosuke, a powerful and righteous character known for his strength. The exaggerated makeup – the bold lines and intense expression – is a Kabuki convention used to signify the character’s heroic nature and heightened emotional state. But beyond stagecraft, this image hints at the complex relationship between performer and role, reality and representation, that was relevant not only to the actor, but to the audience as well. The print speaks to the ways in which identities are performed and consumed, both on and off the stage. Kunisada uses vibrant colors and dynamic composition to create a work that captures the energy of Kabuki, while prompting reflections on the nature of identity and representation.