Entry by Daysi Perez Mendez: The Kabuki Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō IV

In the artwork by Torii Kiyonaga, The Kabuki Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō IV, viewers see a male and two women. The image makes it clear that he is entertained as he is smoking a pipe and has a teapot on a tray next to him, which indicates that he is also enjoying a cup of tea. Considering the fact that he even has spare time, one can immediately assume his social status, upper class. The working class group would rarely have time to spare as they have to work to live. Kōshirō, on the other hand, is with women who may also be entertaining him. We see that the lady standing has a fan and is looking down at him while the lady sitting is holding what appears to be a small ceramic jar for his tobacco. Based on the ladies' attire, one can assume that they are not part of the working class. They are dressed fairly well in their kimonos and their hair is well done. Furthermore, Kōshirō’s kimono has a symbol for the elite class with “four flowers arranged in the shape of a diamond.” Throughout history, diamonds have been worn by leaders or power figures to symbolize strength and power. Viewers are able to see that Kōshirōholds power as an actor as he has time to be surrounded by women and smoke a pipe.

Author: Daysi Perez Mendez