Katsuyama Matagoro as a Yane-chi Seated on a Straw Mat on the Tiled Roof of a House 1707 - 1711

Okumura Masanobu created this woodblock print of "Katsuyama Matagoro as a Yane-chi Seated on a Straw Mat on the Tiled Roof of a House" in Japan during the Edo period. This was a time when the rising merchant class fueled a vibrant urban culture, influencing the themes and styles of art. Here, we see not just an actor, but a celebrated figure, a "Yane-chi", perched on a rooftop. This was a popular theme in Ukiyo-e prints. These prints often highlighted the transient pleasures and fashionable figures of the era. There's a blurring of boundaries here, as the actor, the character, and the everyday merge into a single image. The actor wears a kimono printed with his mon or crest, which signified both personal and professional identity, linking him to a lineage and social status. This print invites us to consider the fluidity of identity. Masanobu challenges traditional representations of class and celebrity. He captures a moment of quiet intimacy on a rooftop. The print acts as a mirror reflecting the desires, dreams, and social realities of Edo-period Japan.