De derde maand 1861

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print titled, ‘The Third Month’ sometime before he died in 1865. During the Edo period in Japan, when Kunisada was working, there was a flourishing of the arts despite strict social hierarchies. In this print, we see an actor in the role of a man, likely from a Kabuki play, standing next to a figure of a young woman holding a doll. Kabuki theatre was incredibly popular and often explored themes of love, duty, and societal expectations. Kunisada was renowned for his portraits of Kabuki actors, capturing their expressive poses and elaborate costumes. Here, the artist is inviting us to consider gender roles within Japanese society, especially as they are performed on stage. What does it mean to embody a role, and how does that performance reflect or challenge the lived experiences of individuals? The beauty of cherry blossoms in the background adds a layer of emotional depth, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life and beauty. This print offers a glimpse into the rich cultural landscape of 19th-century Japan, inviting us to reflect on identity and representation.