Bandō Mitsugorō II as the manservant Kugahei 1795

This woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku captures Bandō Mitsugorō II in the role of Kugahei, a manservant. Kabuki theater in 18th-century Japan was more than entertainment; it was a space where social hierarchies were both performed and challenged. Here, we see a famous actor playing a lower-class character. Note the way Sharaku has captured Mitsugorō’s features: the furrowed brow, the pursed lips. These details humanize the actor, drawing out the emotional complexities of his character. This print offers an intimate glimpse into the world of Kabuki, where identity is fluid, and performers embody different social roles. Sharaku’s prints were groundbreaking because they moved away from idealized portrayals, presenting actors as real people with flaws and depth. In doing so, he invites us to reflect on the performance of identity, and to consider how we all play different roles in our daily lives.