Print 1800 - 1865

This print, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was created by Utagawa Kunisada, a leading artist of 19th-century Japan known for his ukiyo-e prints of kabuki actors. Kunisada's work reflects the cultural milieu of the Edo period, a time marked by relative peace, economic growth, and the flourishing of the arts and urban culture. The print captures the essence of kabuki theater, a popular form of entertainment that often explored themes of honor, duty, and societal conflict. Kunisada elevates this popular culture through his art. The figure, with his dramatic pose and elaborate costume, embodies the heightened emotions and stylized movements characteristic of kabuki. The artist was not merely representing a character but also interpreting a role within the rigid social hierarchy of the time. Kunisada’s print invites us to consider the complex interplay between individual expression and cultural norms, resonating with enduring questions about identity and representation.