The Actor Sawamura Tossho II as Karukaya Doshin, No. 5 from the series "Flowers of Tokyo: Caricatures by Kunichika (Azuma no hana Kunichika manga)" 1872

This color woodblock print shows the actor Sawamura Tossho II in the role of Karukaya Doshin. It was made by Toyohara Kunichika in Japan as part of the series "Flowers of Tokyo: Caricatures by Kunichika." Kunichika was active during the Meiji period, a time of great social and political upheaval as Japan opened to the West. The series title suggests a tension between traditional Japanese art forms and modern influences, and is an interesting institutional history of the Meiji era. Kunichika made his name depicting Kabuki actors; the series title suggests that he made the artwork to show that he had moved on from that topic. The print employs a complex system of visual codes. Kabuki was a popular form of entertainment, but it was also subject to strict censorship. By portraying actors in character, Kunichika could comment on contemporary society while avoiding direct criticism. Understanding the art of this period requires attention to censorship laws, economic structures, and cultural shifts of the time. Research into theatre history and Meiji-era politics provides a richer understanding of the print's role in shaping public discourse.