Man met bijl stapt uit een boom c. 1820

Utagawa Kunisada’s woodblock print shows a man stepping out of a tree with an axe. Made in 19th century Japan, this image participates in the cultural world of Kabuki theatre. Kabuki was a popular form of entertainment, but not everyone was allowed to enjoy it. Strict social hierarchies, enforced by the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate, prescribed specific roles for different social classes. Kabuki became a way for artists and audiences to negotiate those strictures, sometimes subtly critiquing those norms. In this print, the actor’s exaggerated pose and makeup signify his role. Kunisada’s attention to detail in the actor's costume and the dynamic composition contribute to the theatricality of the scene. As historians, we can analyze playbills, censorship records, and other prints to understand the complex relationship between art, entertainment, and social commentary in 19th-century Japan. This artwork invites us to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production.