Actor Ichikawa Chūsha VII as Kiichi Hōgen c. 1936

This woodblock print depicts actor Ichikawa Chūsha VII in the role of Kiichi Hōgen and was made by Natori Shunsen, an artist who dedicated his career almost exclusively to yakusha-e, or actor prints. Shunsen worked during a period of significant social and political change in Japan with the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, which led to the decline of traditional art forms like ukiyo-e. Here, the artist illustrates the actor in character through the use of heavy makeup (kesho) which exaggerates his features. The thick white beard and hair and the pronounced lines around the eyes add to the dramatic intensity of the Kabuki performance. But this portrait also reflects the way male actors playing female roles, known as onnagata, were celebrated and admired for their ability to embody femininity on stage. Consider how the emotional intensity of this portrait captures the essence of Kabuki theater. It’s an art form where gender, identity, and performance intertwine.