Ichikawa Danjuro VII Wielding an Axe wearing a White haired Wig 1825

This woodblock print of Ichikawa Danjuro VII wielding an axe, was made by Utagawa Kunisada in 19th-century Japan. The texture of the paper is crucial here; the multiple layers of color have been pressed into it, leaving a subtle relief. Look closely, and you can see how each separate color was applied using a different block, requiring enormous precision. Woodblock printing was a highly developed, intensely collaborative industry in Japan, involving artists, block cutters, and printers, each with specialized skills. The publisher coordinated the whole enterprise, deciding what to produce and how to market it. It was a business aimed squarely at the rising merchant class, who were eager for imagery of their cultural heroes. Kabuki actors like Danjuro VII were the celebrities of their day, and prints like this one allowed fans to collect images of their favorite performers. The image is a testament to the skills of the many hands involved in its production, and to the power of popular culture in shaping artistic expression.