The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I in a Shak-kyo Dance in the Play Aioi Jishi, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1784 c. 1784

Katsukawa Shunkō created this woodblock print around 1784. It depicts the actor Nakamura Nakazo I performing a Shakkyo dance in the play Aioi Jishi. Kabuki theater was more than mere entertainment; it was a cultural phenomenon deeply intertwined with the social fabric of Edo-period Japan. Actors like Nakazo were celebrities, their images widely circulated in prints like this. Note how Shunkō’s print captures the actor in mid-performance, embodying a character that transcends gender. The Shakkyo dance itself is rich with symbolism, the lion representing strength and the peonies symbolizing wealth and prosperity. The actor’s poised stance, combined with the soft color palette, invites us to reflect on the fluid nature of identity and the power of performance to challenge societal norms. Ultimately, Shunkō’s work speaks to the emotional resonance of kabuki, and its ability to reflect and shape the cultural values of its time.