Actor Nakamura Fukusuke I as Jūjō Rikijirō Possibly 1852

This woodblock print, depicting the actor Nakamura Fukusuke I as Jūjō Rikijirō, was created by Utagawa Kunisada II in Japan. The work belongs to the tradition of Ukiyo-e prints, which flourished during the Edo period, reflecting the era’s cultural and social life. Prints like this one served as a form of publicity for Kabuki actors. Kabuki was a vital element of urban entertainment and Kunisada's image captures the actor in character. This was a period marked by the rise of a merchant class and a corresponding flourishing of popular culture. The print uses visual codes such as costume and stylized makeup, instantly recognizable to contemporary audiences. These served to identify both the actor and the character they were portraying. Understanding this print requires insight into the social conditions and theatrical institutions of the time, information often found in playbills and other ephemera from the Edo period. The role of art, in this context, was deeply embedded in the fabric of everyday life, shaping and reflecting the tastes and interests of a broad public.