Nakamura Denkuro as Asaina no Saburo and Nakajima Kanzaemon as Soga no Gorō, Acting Out the Torn Armor Scene (Kusazuri-biki) in a Soga Play 1699 - 1719

Okumura Masanobu created this woodblock print of actors in a Soga play at an unknown date, capturing a moment of intense drama and physical struggle on the Kabuki stage. Kabuki, emerging in the Edo period, became a significant cultural force, often challenging social norms through its expressive performances. Here, we see Nakamura Denkuro as Asaina no Saburo, a figure known for his immense strength, locked in a fierce contest with Nakajima Kanzaemon as Soga no Gorō. Their struggle highlights the performative aspects of masculinity in Japanese society, where strength and honor are celebrated. The act of tearing the armor, “Kusazuri-biki,” becomes a visual metaphor for the tearing down of societal expectations and the raw emotion beneath. Masanobu captures the energy of the Kabuki theatre, transforming it into a visual spectacle that reflects and shapes the cultural values of its time.