The Second Bando Mitsugoro in the Role of Soga no Juro Sukenari 1783 - 1805

This is an ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kinei, depicting the actor Bando Mitsugoro in the role of Soga no Juro Sukenari. Notice how the artist employs a vertical format, dividing the composition into distinct zones, and the subtle tonal gradations, particularly in the rendering of the actors' robes and facial expressions. Kinei presents a calculated arrangement of shapes and lines within a shallow pictorial space, emphasizing the flatness of the picture plane. The print’s visual structure reflects the codified gestures and expressions of Kabuki theater. Here, the performer’s identity as both actor and character conflates, thereby challenging fixed notions of identity and representation. The patterns in the robes can be seen as signifiers of status and role within the strict social hierarchies of Edo-period Japan. The print invites us to consider the complex interplay between representation, performance, and identity. The use of a semiotic system allows the artist to communicate nuanced meanings within a highly conventionalized artistic language.