The actor Ichikawa Danjuro IV as Shinozuka Goro Sadatsuna in the play "Ume Momiji Date no Okido," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1760 1760

This woodblock print, made around 1760 by Torii Kiyonobu II, depicts the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the role of Shinozuka Goro Sadatsuna. This work emerges from a Japan where the urban culture of Edo, now Tokyo, blossomed, heavily influencing art and theatre. Here, the representation of the male actor, a celebrated figure in Japanese society, transcends mere portraiture. The exaggerated features and dynamic pose are deeply rooted in Kabuki theatre traditions, designed to evoke a powerful emotional response from the audience. The actor embodies the complex interplay between identity and performance, challenging rigid social norms by stepping into different roles. The print invites us to consider the fluid boundaries of identity, performance, and representation that continue to shape our understanding of self and society. It's a reminder that the stage, whether in 18th-century Japan or today, remains a powerful space for exploring the complexities of human experience.