Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō 8th (One of Three Kabuki Actors) by Utagawa Kunisada

Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 8th (One of Three Kabuki Actors) c. 1855 - 1860

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Dimensions: 36.2 x 25 cm (14 1/4 x 9 13/16 in.)

Copyright: CC0 1.0

Editor: This is Utagawa Kunisada's "Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō 8th (One of Three Kabuki Actors)," and though it is undated, it presents a performer in elaborate garb. What can you tell me about the politics of Kabuki at the time? Curator: Kabuki was a powerful form of expression, especially for those who felt voiceless. Consider the Edo period's strict social hierarchy. How might Kabuki have served as a space to subvert or question those norms, particularly regarding gender and class? Editor: So the stage became a place for social commentary? Curator: Absolutely. The actors, like Ichikawa Danjūrō, became cultural icons, embodying defiance and challenging societal expectations through their performances and personas. Think of it as early performance art meeting activism.

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