Print 1800 - 1865

This woodblock print was created by Utagawa Kunisada in Japan. Kunisada lived and worked during the Edo period, a time marked by relative peace and economic growth, but also rigid social structures. This print depicts a male Kabuki actor in a thoughtful pose, likely portraying a character from a popular play. Kabuki theater itself was a vibrant form of entertainment for the emerging merchant class of Japan. These prints, known as *ukiyo-e*, captured the likenesses and personas of famous actors, making them accessible to a wider audience. Kunisada’s work gives us insight into the cultural landscape of the time, where the lines between art, entertainment, and commerce were becoming increasingly blurred. The details in the actor’s costume, his makeup, and posture all speak to the highly stylized and codified world of Kabuki. He seems lost in thought - I wonder what he's contemplating? The image not only highlights the artistry of Kabuki, but also serves as a window into the social and economic dynamics of Edo-period Japan.