Otokodate looking at geese & purse c. 1820 - 1830

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print, titled "Otokodate looking at geese & purse," sometime before his death in 1865. Kunisada was a commercial artist in 19th century Japan whose work often depicted kabuki actors. Here we see a figure in mid-stride, carrying an umbrella across their shoulders, and gazing up at a flock of geese. The figure is likely an otokodate, a type of townsman who embodied a kind of Robin Hood figure. Commoners who, despite being of lower social status, defended the working class against the excesses of the ruling samurai. It is interesting that this figure gazes at the geese but seems to ignore the purse they carry, perhaps prioritizing freedom and justice over material gain. Through the Otokodate, Kunisada perhaps reflects the hopes and aspirations of the common people, portraying a figure who stands up for what is right. Even as we might read into it an expression of the collective desire for social change during a period of strict hierarchical structures. The print serves as a reminder of the courage and determination required to challenge established norms and fight for a more equitable society.