Shitaku and Sansho VII in Soga Kyodai (a Kabuki Play of the Soga Brothers) 1769 - 1825

Utagawa Toyokuni I created this woodblock print titled "Shitaku and Sansho VII in Soga Kyodai (a Kabuki Play of the Soga Brothers)." Toyokuni, working in the Edo period, a time of strict social hierarchy and political stability under the shogunate, captures a scene from Kabuki theater, a popular, and sometimes subversive, entertainment for the merchant class. Kabuki often depicted historical dramas and love-suicide stories that allowed the audience to experience narratives that might challenge the social norms of the day. The print focuses on male actors, as women were banned from Kabuki stages. These actors, celebrated for their portrayals of both male and female roles, became objects of intense public fascination. Toyokuni capitalizes on the popular interest in these figures, immortalizing their performances. With its stark lines and emphasis on expression, the print encapsulates the emotional intensity of Kabuki, reflecting a society grappling with prescribed roles and unspoken desires.