De derde maand 1861

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print called “The Third Month” sometime in the 19th century. Woodblock prints like this one were originally quite affordable and are closely tied to the rise of a consumer culture and the commercialization of art in Japan during the Edo period. This print depicts a Kabuki actor in a domestic interior. Kabuki theater was extremely popular at the time. Kunisada’s studio produced many prints of famous actors, playing a key role in the development of celebrity culture. Here, Kunisada uses the conventions of the ukiyo-e printmaking tradition to create a sense of depth. Notice the receding orthogonal lines of the room. Also, the muted color palette and the attention to detail in the rendering of the actor’s kimono. The print can be seen as a commentary on the increasing commercialization of art and entertainment. The image invites us to reflect on the social conditions that shape artistic production. To better understand this work, we can look at other prints from the Edo period.