(Scene from the Kabuki Play -Saninin Kichiza kuruwa no hatsugai-) Possibly 1866

This woodblock print depicts a scene from the Kabuki play, Saninin Kichiza kuruwa no hatsugai and was created by Utagawa Kunisada II in the 19th century. Set against a backdrop of cherry blossoms and traditional architecture, the print captures a moment of high drama, reflecting the theatrical culture of Japan during the Edo and Meiji periods. The print portrays a figure adorned in elaborate costume, whose gender is ambiguous and challenges conventional expectations. Kabuki theater often featured male actors in female roles, or vice versa. The artist highlights the performative aspects of identity within the Kabuki tradition. Kunisada invites us to reflect on the fluidity of identity, and the ways in which social roles and expectations are enacted and challenged. The emotional intensity of the scene is palpable, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of human relationships.