Scene From the Drama "Hatsu-tori Kuruma Genji" 1749

Torii Kiyomasu I made this woodblock print, "Scene From the Drama "Hatsu-tori Kuruma Genji," in Japan in the early 18th century. The print depicts a scene from a Kabuki play, a popular form of entertainment in Japan’s Edo period. The visual codes within the print, such as the actors' costumes and gestures, would have been immediately recognizable to contemporary audiences. Kabuki, while popular, was also subject to strict government regulation as authorities worried about the potential for social unrest. Actors and playwrights often used Kabuki to comment on social and political issues, but they had to do so in a way that was not too overt. The study of Kabuki prints such as this one can reveal much about the social and cultural history of Japan. Historians consult playbills, diaries, and government records to understand the place of Kabuki in society. By placing the artwork within its original context, we can appreciate its full significance.