Actor Ichikawa Ebizō IX as Togashi Saemon in The Subscription List (Kanjinchō)

This is Natori Shunsen’s woodblock print depicting the actor Ichikawa Ebizō IX as Togashi Saemon in the Kabuki drama, *The Subscription List*, probably made sometime in the first half of the 20th century. Shunsen, working in a period of intense social and political change in Japan, devoted himself to preserving the likenesses of Kabuki actors when photography began threatening the art of woodblock prints. Here, the actor Ichikawa Ebizō IX is captured in the role of Togashi, a gatekeeper who must balance duty and compassion. Kabuki theater often explores the tensions between social roles and individual feelings, reflecting the complex negotiations of identity within Japanese society. The actor's painted face—the *kumadori*—with its exaggerated lines and colors, is designed to express the character's emotions. In this portrait, Shunsen not only captures the actor’s likeness, but also the emotional depth of the character he embodies. Shunsen's work preserves the cultural significance of Kabuki, a theatrical form through which stories of loyalty, sacrifice, and love continue to resonate. It’s a testament to how art embodies the human experience, capturing moments of intense emotion and cultural identity.