Print 1800 - 1865

Utagawa Kunisada created this print sometime before his death in 1865. Kunisada was a commercial artist in Japan, during a time when the country experienced significant social change. Here, a male figure in a patterned kimono strikes a dramatic pose with a sword. This is likely an actor in a Kabuki play, a popular form of entertainment in Japan during the Edo period. Kabuki allowed a space for alternative narratives, including stories that challenged the strict social norms. Kunisada made thousands of actor prints during his lifetime. This print provides a glimpse into the cultural world of 19th century Japan, where theater offered a stage for exploring themes of gender, identity, and social critique. While Kunisada's prints were made for mass consumption, they also reflect the nuances and complexities of Japanese society at the time.