Teach with Collections: Mitate: Arashi Rikan II as Hachiman Taro and Nakamura Utaemon III as Abe no Sadato

This woodblock print from Osaka focuses on a close view of Kabuki actors against an abstract background. Hokuei presents two actors who performed together during their careers, although never together in these roles. The imaginary scene showcases the characters’ exaggerated theatrical expressions, which are further enhanced by the use of traditional white makeup along with black and red face paint. Such drawn marks transform the actors’ faces into animated masks, allowing spectators observing them from a distance to identify the characters portrayed and to understand each character’s emotions throughout the narrative. Conversation prompts: Which features of the figures’ faces have been particularly highlighted by their face paint? Do you read these expressions as extreme? Why or why not?