Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Raizō I and Bandō Hikosaburō II 1767

This print by Torii Kiyomitsu immortalizes the Kabuki actors Ichikawa Raizō I and Bandō Hikosaburō II, likely made with woodblock printmaking. Notice the motif of burdens—baskets and buckets suspended from a shoulder pole. This symbol transcends mere physical labor; it speaks to the weight of expectations, the balance of responsibilities, and the human struggle. Centuries before, in ancient Greece, Atlas bore the heavens on his shoulders. We, too, in our daily lives, carry our own heavens, our own burdens, both literal and figurative. Think of the cross as a symbol of sacrifice and redemption in Christian art. Over time, the burden morphs, shifting from divine punishment to a testament of resilience. The Kabuki actors, laden with these symbolic weights, invite us to consider the burdens we carry, and the stories these burdens tell about ourselves and our societies. This image engages us on a subconscious level, a powerful force reminding us of the shared human experience, the universal struggle, and the cyclical nature of history.