When Theatre Became Celebrity Culture

The People Behind the Prints

A dramatic pose. An elaborate costume. An instantly recognisable face. In nineteenth-century Japan, Kabuki was more than theatre. It was a cultural phenomenon. Actors developed devoted followings, and their appearances in woodblock prints helped audiences celebrate memorable performances and favourite characters.

But these images weren’t simply publicity portraits. Artists captured theatrical conventions, dramatic moments and the visual language through which audiences recognised particular roles.

Our third article explores the fascinating relationship between the Kabuki stage and the artists who brought its performers to life on paper.

Read Article 3: Kabuki Actors in Ukiyo-e — The Celebrity Culture of Edo Japan.

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