No. 7 Possibly 1857

"No. 7," made by Utagawa Kunisada II, is a woodblock print that encapsulates the vibrant culture of 19th-century Japan. Kunisada II was working in a period of great social and cultural change, as Japan was opening up to the West after a long period of isolation. This print, with its theatrical presentation of figures, likely depicts a scene from Kabuki theatre. Kabuki served as a space to explore gender roles and class identity in ways that sometimes challenged the strict social norms of the time. The onnagata, male actors who play female roles, often achieved celebrity status and were objects of intense fascination. The emotional complexity of the scene, with its blend of drama, beauty, and perhaps a touch of the grotesque, creates a rich visual experience. Kunisada II invites us to contemplate not only the narratives being portrayed, but also the social and cultural values embedded within these representations. This artwork offers a glimpse into how the Japanese understood themselves and their place in a rapidly changing world.