Bandō Hikosaburō III as Obiya Chōemon 1795

This is Tōshūsai Sharaku's print of Bandō Hikosaburō III as Obiya Chōemon. We don't know exactly when it was made, but Sharaku was active as an artist for less than two years in the mid-1790s. The image captures the actor Bandō Hikosaburō III in the role of Obiya Chōemon, a character who navigates the complexities of love and duty within the rigid social structure of Edo-period Japan. Kabuki theater was hugely popular, offering commentary on the social and political issues of the time. Gender roles were often challenged on stage, with male actors, like Bandō, playing female roles. Sharaku's portraits of these actors were celebrated for their realism, capturing not just their likenesses but also their individual personalities and emotional depth. The artist creates an ambiguous, critical emotional space that allows the viewer to contemplate the actor's embodiment of a character caught between social expectations and personal desires.