Sakugawa Yozaemon en de Joshichi rivieroever 1852

This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Sakugawa Yozaemon as a boatman on the Joshichi River. Kunisada was a leading printmaker in 19th-century Japan, a time when printmaking was used to disseminate cultural values and social norms. This image presents a complex interplay of identity, class, and representation. During this period, actors occupied a marginal space in society, despite their popularity. Kunisada elevates Yozaemon into a heroic figure, challenging societal hierarchies and highlighting the cultural significance of the performing arts. The image suggests an individual navigating the complexities of social identity. Note Yozaemon's determined expression, his raised sword, and his boat cutting through the river, all speaking to the drama of performance and, perhaps, life itself. By presenting the actor in a moment of action, Kunisada captures the emotional intensity and transformative power of the theater.