Akatsuki Hoshigorô with bat cap 1864 - 1865

This is a woodblock print, ‘Akatsuki Hoshigorô with bat cap’, made by Toyohara Kunichika in the late 19th century, now held in the Rijksmuseum. The print commands attention through its striking combination of theatrical portraiture and symbolic elements. Kunichika masterfully uses line and color to create a visually arresting image. Note how the figure's poised expression contrasts with the fantastical bat-shaped headpiece, which immediately destabilizes the composition. The print is filled with signs and cultural codes. Kunichika plays with Kabuki traditions, using exaggerated features to depict the actor. The bat headpiece, while whimsical, hints at deeper meanings, and the overall effect is a disruption of conventional portraiture. The print’s aesthetic lies not just in its decorative charm but also in its playful disruption of established meanings. Kunichika offers a glimpse into the fluid and dynamic interplay between representation and reality.