The Actor Oneo Kikugoro in the Role of Soga no Goro 1738 - 1758

This striking image of the actor Oneo Kikugoro, playing Soga no Goro, was made by Torii Kiyomasu I, using woodblock printing. The process begins with a drawing, carefully transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. The printer then painstakingly carves away the negative space. Each color requires a separate block; a key block is used to print the outline and other details. The blocks are then inked and carefully registered to create the final print. The material qualities of the wood, and the way the knives move through it, impart a distinct character to the image. The crisp lines, the subtle gradations of color, all speak to the expertise required to produce these prints. Woodblock prints were relatively inexpensive, meeting a booming demand for images of popular actors and theatrical scenes. The images helped to fuel the emerging entertainment industries, fostering a dynamic relationship between art, commerce, and the everyday lives of ordinary people.