The Actor Sawamura Kamesaburo as Nagoya Kosanza in the play "Keisei Fukubiki Nagoya," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month, 1731 1731

Editor: This is a woodblock print titled "The Actor Sawamura Kamesaburo as Nagoya Kosanza," created in 1731 by Okumura Toshinobu. I'm struck by the detail in the actor's costume, and the way his face is framed by that woven hat. What's your interpretation of this work? Curator: This ukiyo-e print provides us with a lens into the social and political dynamics of 18th-century Japan. The representation of the actor, Sawamura Kamesaburo, playing a male role while seemingly presenting an ambiguous gender expression, raises questions about the performativity of identity itself. How might this subversion of expectations, through clothing, and presentation, challenge societal norms of the time? Editor: That's a great question, it's interesting to think about gender expression and the disruption of norms. I'm also wondering about the class implications. Were Kabuki actors generally accepted in society at the time, or were they considered outsiders? Curator: Precisely! Kabuki occupied a complex space in Edo society. Though popular, actors were often viewed as social outcasts. This print then becomes more than just a portrait; it’s a statement on the blurring of social boundaries and the negotiation of identity within a rigid hierarchy. Considering also that many of the playwrights were censored. The actor, in a way, embodied cultural and social friction of his time. Does seeing it this way shift your initial impression? Editor: Absolutely. Seeing it as a challenge to societal norms provides another richer reading of it. Thanks! Curator: And thank you; reflecting on the performance of identity and its challenges to social hierarchies is an ongoing project. This print reminds us of that legacy.