Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu as Karigane Bunshichi Possibly 1756

Torii Kiyohiro produced this woodblock print of the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu as Karigane Bunshichi. It offers a glimpse into the vibrant, yet often regulated, world of 18th-century Japanese Kabuki theatre. Consider the role of the actor, celebrated here and elsewhere in similar prints. Kabuki emerged as a popular form of entertainment during the Edo period, quickly becoming a cultural touchstone for the burgeoning merchant class. However, the Tokugawa shogunate, wary of social disruptions, imposed strict regulations on Kabuki, including censorship of plays and restrictions on actors' attire. Prints such as these served as both promotion and documentation, capturing the likenesses of popular actors in their most celebrated roles. Kiyohiro's print offers a window into the complex interplay between artistic expression, social control, and the ever-shifting dynamics of Edo-period Japan. Research into the Tokugawa legal codes helps us understand the complex social environment that shaped this work.