Vossenvrouw Kuzunoha 1862

This woodblock print, Vossenvrouw Kuzunoha, was created by Utagawa Kunisada in 19th-century Japan. It depicts Kuzunoha, a mythical fox spirit disguised as a woman. The image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. Foxes held a complex position in Japanese folklore, often viewed as tricksters, but also as symbols of intelligence and adaptability. Kuzunoha is a popular figure in Japanese theatre. The print plays with this duality, showing a beautiful woman whose true identity is subtly hinted at, reflecting broader social anxieties. It's likely that the print was produced for a popular audience interested in theatre. The print reflects the social structures of its time, where folklore and theatrical traditions were intertwined with daily life. To understand it better, we might research the social role of theatre and folklore in 19th-century Japan, including the institutional function of the theatre. Art becomes more meaningful when seen in its social and institutional context.