Actor Iwai Shijaku II as Wakana-hime Possibly 1861
print, ink
portrait
ukiyo-e
ink
orientalism
This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Iwai Shijaku II as Wakana-hime holding a scroll. The symbols embedded in this image speak volumes about the narratives and meanings of Japanese culture. Consider the flowers adorning her red kimono, symbols of beauty and the ephemeral nature of life that echo ancient motifs from diverse cultures. The scroll she holds, overflowing with text, represents knowledge, destiny, and perhaps even the weight of tradition itself. This harks back to ancient Egyptian papyri or medieval illuminated manuscripts—each bearing the encoded wisdom of its time. The spiderweb in the background represents entrapment, and mystery. Such gestures resonate deeply with the human psyche, tapping into collective memories that transcend cultural boundaries. These symbols never truly vanish; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.
Comments
Toyokuni's Drawings: A Magic Contest features kabuki actors juxtaposed to people, good or evil, that have supernatural powers. The motifs derive from popular legends, kabuki plays, or adventure novels that were well-liked in the mid-19th century. As this series was one-of-a-kind each print was published on thick paper with expensive pigments and special printing features like embossing and lacquer printing.
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