Ichimura Kakitsu Holding an Inscribed Fan 1862

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print of Ichimura Kakitsu holding an inscribed fan during a period of immense change in Japan. The print provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of the time. Yoshitoshi’s portrait of the Kabuki actor, Kakitsu, is framed by visual codes deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The inscribed fan, the actor’s makeup, and his costume all speak to the traditions of Kabuki theater. Prints like this one were immensely popular among the burgeoning urban classes of late 19th century Japan. Yoshitoshi made this print during the Meiji period, a time when Japan opened its doors to Western influence. This led to both a fascination with the new and a nostalgia for traditional Japanese arts. Historians use playbills, diaries, and other primary sources to reconstruct the social world in which art is made. By studying such sources, we can gain insight into the complex interplay between art, culture, and society.