Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikugoro IV 1860

This woodblock print, "Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikugoro IV," was created in Japan to commemorate the actor's death in 1861. It reflects the Edo period's unique cultural landscape, where the Kabuki theatre and its actors were central to the urban experience. Kabuki theatre was a complex space of representation. As men took on female roles, known as "onnagata," they challenged and blurred conventional gender norms. Kikugoro IV himself, represented in this print, contributed to this fluidity. He was celebrated for his dramatic portrayals and engagement with the emotional complexities of his characters. Note the poems that frame the actor's image and capture the sense of loss and admiration felt by his audience. The print not only signifies the actor's individual identity, but also represents a collective cultural memory. It captures a moment of grief and remembrance, highlighting the actor's impact on the viewers and the emotional connections forged through art.