Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Ebizo V 1859

This is a memorial portrait of the actor Ichikawa Ebizo V, made in Japan, likely as a woodblock print. As a celebrated Kabuki actor, Ichikawa Ebizo V navigated a rigid social hierarchy where the arts were both revered and regarded with suspicion. In this print, we see the actor depicted with dignity. The memorial aspect suggests a reverence for his craft and persona. The inclusion of religious elements, however, indicates the complexities of identity; Ebizo was a figure of public entertainment, yet also a man facing mortality. The work doesn't just memorialize an individual. It also tells the story of the cultural tensions present in Edo period Japan. It reveals the status of performers in society, while hinting at the personal narratives behind the celebrated stage figure. The use of the memorial portrait suggests not only a personal loss, but also the loss of a cultural icon.