Print 1800 - 1865

Utagawa Kunisada created this print, sometime in the 19th century, using woodblock printing techniques. Kunisada was a leading printmaker in Japan during the Edo period, an era marked by strict social hierarchies and the flourishing of urban culture. This print, like many of Kunisada’s works, portrays a male figure, likely a Kabuki actor. Kabuki theatre was immensely popular, yet actors were often viewed as outsiders due to their profession. Here, the figure is shown with swords and what appears to be a serpent at his feet, suggesting a narrative of power and danger. The actor's intense expression gives us a sense of the emotional drama inherent to Kabuki. "The Floating World," or ukiyo-e, prints like this one, often served as a form of publicity for actors. Despite the constraints of the period, Kunisada challenged traditional representations by celebrating the cultural and emotional lives of those on the margins. This print offers a glimpse into a world where art and identity intersect, reflecting both the societal norms and the vibrant undercurrents of Edo-period Japan.