The Actor Ichikawa Komazo II as a Samurai in Fighting Trim 1693 - 1713

Katsukawa Shun'ei created this woodblock print depicting the actor Ichikawa Komazo II, embodying a samurai, likely during the late 18th or early 19th century. This image exists in the floating world of *ukiyo-e* prints, which often depicted popular actors of the time. While seeming to celebrate masculinity and the samurai tradition, this print subtly challenges traditional notions of representation. The bare chest of the actor, the rain, and the discarded umbrella all suggest a vulnerability not typically associated with the warrior class. The *ukiyo-e* tradition itself existed outside the strictures of the dominant artistic narratives of the time. Shun'ei here is not only capturing an actor in a role, but also engaging with ideas of identity, performance, and the fluidity of social roles. The tension between the idealized image of the samurai and the lived reality of individuals is palpable, and the emotional weight of the scene is amplified by the artist’s focus on the actor's expressive face.