Portrait of Ichimura Takenojō and Sanjō Kantarō 1783 - 1803

Okimura Toshinobu created this woodblock print, "Portrait of Ichimura Takenojō and Sanjō Kantarō," sometime between 1725 and 1750. Kabuki theater was the most popular form of entertainment in Japan's urban centers during this period. Here we see a male actor applying stage makeup. Kabuki was known for its elaborate costumes, stylized movements, and, significantly, the fact that male actors played all roles, including women's roles. The man standing behind is also likely another actor. He gazes down at his colleague with a mixture of concern and admiration. Toshinobu captures the intimacy of the theater backstage, revealing the labor and collaboration involved in creating the illusion of performance. This print is not just a record of two actors; it is a window into the complex construction of gender and identity in 18th-century Japan. Kabuki challenged conventional gender norms and offered a space for exploring alternative representations of masculinity and femininity. The emotional weight of the image lies in its subtle exposure of the performative nature of identity.