The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as the Boatman Jirosaku in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775 c. 1775

Katsukawa Shunko made this woodblock print in 1775. It depicts the actor Ichikawa Yaozo the Second in the role of a boatman. Such actor prints, or *yakusha-e*, gained popularity in Japan's Edo period, reflecting the rise of Kabuki theatre as a major form of entertainment. The print showcases not only the actor's likeness but also the character he portrayed. The artist emphasizes the boatman's role through his costume, the box he carries, and even the pipe in his hand. Kabuki was closely tied to the floating world, or ukiyo, a world of pleasure and entertainment distinct from the rigid social norms of the time. Theaters like the Ichimura, where the play was performed, became cultural hubs. These prints served as publicity for the plays. This print comments on the fluid nature of social identity through the Kabuki theatre. Understanding these prints requires knowledge of Kabuki traditions, Edo-period society, and the specific actors and roles depicted. Historical playbills, theatre records, and biographies of actors are important. Art isn't made in a vacuum. It is a reflection of and a commentary on, the world around it.