The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as a young man holding an umbrella and a lantern c. 1748

Ishikawa Toyonobu created this print of the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I, sometime in the mid-18th century. During the Edo period, the rigid class structure meant the rising merchant class were excluded from political power. But, the popularity of the Kabuki theatre allowed them to express their desires and cultural values through the actors who often played female roles. The actor, adorned in elaborate kimonos and elevated on platform sandals, embodies a carefully constructed persona. His downcast eyes perhaps suggest a sense of introspection. Yet, there is also a performative element to consider; his stylized pose with umbrella and lantern is a constructed image of beauty. Prints like these served as both publicity and commodities for fans, blurring the lines between the actor's identity and his stage persona. This woodblock print offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of the era. It highlights the complex relationship between gender, performance, and identity, as well as the merchant class of the time.