['Jihizô and Jokozô fighting in snow', 'Twenty-four examples of filial piety, bamboo shoots', 'Gleanings of seven iroha'] 1856 - 1857

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print entitled ‘Jihizô and Jokozô fighting in snow’ sometime between 1847 and 1852. Kunisada lived in Japan during the Edo period, which was a time of economic growth, strict social order, and relative peace. Prints like this one often depicted scenes from kabuki theater and were immensely popular with the urban population. Here, we see two male actors in the midst of a dramatic fight scene, their faces contorted in expressions of anger and exertion. Kabuki was more than just entertainment; it offered a space where societal norms could be questioned. Though the art form was dominated by male performers, it often explored themes of gender and power. By examining the nuances of gender roles within the rigid social structures of Edo Japan, Kabuki offered a powerful, if subtle, form of social commentary. Kunisada's prints remind us that even within the confines of tradition, there's always room for dialogue, for questioning, and for challenging the status quo.