安達吟光画　第二番目五幕目　漂流奇譚西洋劇　巴里府演劇の場|“Act II, Scene 5: At the Opera in Paris,” from the series The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki

Adachi Ginkō

1879 · Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban · Asian Art

In the late nineteenth century, Japan was awash with recently imported foreign ideas and images that were often understood in a culturally insensitive manner, reflecting racist attitudes in America and Europe of the time, such as the performer shown here in blackface. The play, by the celebrated playwright Kawatake Mokuami (1816–1893), follows the peripatetic journey of a touring troupe of European and American actors.

Artist

Adachi Ginkō

Date

1879

Medium

Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of William S. Lieberman, 2005