The Actors Yamashita Kinsaku I and Hayakawa Hatsuse as puppeteers in the play "Diary Kept on a Journey by Sea to Izu" ("Funadama Izu Nikki"), performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month, 1725 1725

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyomasu II, created around 1725, depicts actors Yamashita Kinsaku I and Hayakawa Hatsuse as puppeteers in a Kabuki play. Kabuki, emerging in the Edo period, often explored themes of identity, duty, and social class through elaborate performances. Here, the actors are not only portraying characters but also embodying another layer of performance as puppeteers, which complicates the notion of authenticity. This blurring of roles reflects the fluid identities often explored in Kabuki theatre. Historically, Kabuki challenged social norms, providing a space for commentary on the rigid class structures of the time. The emotional intensity conveyed through the actors' expressions invites viewers to consider the multiple layers of performance and identity present in this dynamic composition. This work, therefore, encapsulates the performative nature of identity, reflecting both the artistic traditions and the social dynamics of its time.