Omiya Kinsha (The actor Nakayama Tomisaburo I as Ohide, wife of Sazanami Tatsugoro [actually Teriha, younger sister of Abe no Sadato]) 1794

This color woodblock print was made by Tōshūsai Sharaku, and it depicts the actor Nakayama Tomisaburo I as Ohide. This print exemplifies ukiyo-e art, popular during Japan’s Edo period. Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world,” captured fleeting pleasures, particularly those of the kabuki theatre and the Yoshiwara pleasure district. Kabuki, with its exaggerated gestures and flamboyant costumes, was a major source of inspiration for artists like Sharaku. This print specifically commemorates a male actor in a female role, a common practice in kabuki due to restrictions on women performing. The artist, Sharaku, remains enigmatic. His work sharply deviates from conventional ukiyo-e beauty, favoring unflattering realism. This was not always appreciated at the time. Understanding this print requires delving into the social and theatrical conventions of Edo-period Japan. Resources like theatre programs, actor biographies, and historical accounts of urban life can shed light on its original context and meaning. Art is made richer by these social and institutional narratives.