Kabuki Actor Nakamura Shikan Backstage (Nakamura Shikan rakuya no zu) 1826

This 1826 woodblock print by Juyōdō Toshikuni depicts Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan backstage. Known as *ukiyo-e*, this genre of Japanese art flourished during the Edo period and often featured portraits of actors, courtesans, and landscapes. The image’s bold colors and detailed depiction of Shikan’s costume and makeup capture the theatricality of Kabuki performance. The actor’s exaggerated expression and pose, framed by a circle against a patterned background, further emphasize the dynamic nature of this popular form of entertainment.