Vier toneelspelers onder kersenbloesem c. 1841 - 1843

Hasegawa Sadanobu created this woodblock print of actors beneath cherry blossoms in 19th-century Japan, a time when the country was experiencing social and economic changes. The print depicts actors, who were often celebrities, yet they occupied a marginal position in the rigid social hierarchy. The Kabuki theatre provided a space where gender roles could be explored and sometimes subverted. Look closely at how the figures are dressed and posed; Sadanobu uses clothing and accessories to signal aspects of gender and status. The delicate cherry blossoms contrast with the dynamic poses of the actors, perhaps mirroring the fleeting nature of fame, or the transient beauty of life. The imagery suggests a complex interplay between public performance and personal identity, inviting us to reflect on how we, too, perform different roles in our lives. The actors express a range of emotions and experiences, and allow us to explore themes of identity, social status, and the ephemeral beauty of life.