The Celebrities of Edo

Discovering the Floating World

Before movie stars, there were Kabuki actors. Their performances attracted devoted audiences, and their portraits were collected, exchanged and admired. Publishers and artists responded by producing prints that brought theatrical celebrities into people’s homes. Known as yakusha-e, these actor prints reveal an extraordinary relationship between popular entertainment and visual art.

Look closely at the costume, expression and pose. Every detail helps construct the character an audience would have recognised. Two centuries later, the fascination remains. Explore the Bai Win Collections and discover the celebrities of Edo.

CHB-20. Utakawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

#Kabuki #YakushaE #UkiyoE #JapaneseTheatre #BaiWinCollections