Imaginary portrait, Shuihuzhuan of Stage: Tōryūdai (Mitate Suikoden Tōrōdai) - Actor, Bandō Hikozaburō plays as Nyūunryū 1875

This woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts the actor Bandō Hikozaburō as Nyūunryū, a character from the classic Chinese novel "Water Margin," or "Shuihuzhuan". Kunichika lived during a transformative period in Japan, witnessing the end of the Edo era and the beginning of modernization. Here, the actor's intense gaze and the determined set of his mouth hint at the emotional intensity associated with the Kabuki theater. The visible tattoos on his upper body speak to the evolving social identity of outlaws and heroes. The character is framed by morning glories, their ephemeral beauty underscoring the transient nature of life and performance. Kunichika's work provides insights into the cultural values and social dynamics of his time, and the enduring power of stories to reflect and shape society.