A Kite Featuring a Portrait of a Man with a Scarf c. 1823 - 1827

This kite featuring a portrait was made by Utagawa Toyokuni the Second. The woodblock print, a traditional Japanese craft, shows a kite decorated with a theatrical figure, complete with an elaborate headscarf and stern expression. The materiality of the printmaking process itself is crucial here. Woodblock printing demands precision and patience. Each color requires a separate block, meticulously carved and aligned. This division of labor, inherent in the process, speaks to broader social structures. The artist designs, but skilled artisans execute the carving and printing. The kite as a material object is equally important. Traditionally, kites weren't just toys. They were symbols of hope, messages to the gods, or even tools for measuring distances. By placing a theatrical image on a kite, Toyokuni blends entertainment with everyday life, blurring the lines between high art and popular culture. The presence of calligraphy and a sword also add to the cultural significance, evoking the world of theatre, Kabuki, and the broader culture of Japan. It is a reminder that art is always embedded in a web of making, meaning, and social practice.