The Kabuki Actor Kawaharazaki Gonjuro as Kagekiyo 

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print of the Kabuki actor Kawaharazaki Gonjuro as Kagekiyo. Kunisada lived in Japan during the Edo period, a time of economic growth, strict social order and relative peace, under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. Kabuki theater was a popular form of entertainment during this period. However, the shogunate's strict social regulations shaped Kabuki performances which often included moral lessons, or evoked a sense of nostalgia for Japan's feudal past. Here, the actor Kawaharazaki Gonjuro embodies Kagekiyo, a twelfth century Heike warrior known for his strength and loyalty. Kunisada’s detailed representation of Kawaharazaki Gonjuro captures the emotional intensity of Kabuki theater. Consider the actor’s determined gaze, the poised weapon, and the elaborate costume, all which contribute to a powerful expression of warrior identity. Ultimately, this print reflects the Edo period's complex relationship between entertainment, social values, and historical memory.