“Act II, Scene 2: Along Train Tracks in America,” from the series The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki 1879

Adachi Ginkō created this woodblock print, “Act II, Scene 2: Along Train Tracks in America,” as part of the series *The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki*. Made during the Meiji era, this print reflects Japan's complex relationship with the West. It attempts to translate the foreign, particularly American culture, into a digestible Japanese context through the familiar art form of kabuki theater. This print blends cultural understanding with artistic license. The characters, depicted with striking red skin and elaborate headdresses, are set against a backdrop that is supposedly “American,” yet feels distinctly Japanese in its aesthetic. The scene is violent, a theatrical clash of cultures. The presence of the train tracks and the title suggest a narrative rooted in the modernization and westernization of Japan. Yet, the exaggerated expressions and stylized figures invite us to consider how identity is performed and perceived across cultural divides. How does Ginkō want us to feel when viewing this scene? The emotional tension in this print serves as a cultural commentary, highlighting the anxieties and fascinations that came with Japan's encounter with the West.