Kabuki Theater and the Japanese Print Tradition and Transition

Through 91 prints and 11 objects, a collection from the Fundação Oriente never before exhibited, "Kabuki Theater and the Japanese Print" highlights the fascinating relationship between these two arts, woodblock printing and popular Japanese theater, from its origins to the rise of Kabuki as a cultural icon of modern Japan.

On display, prints, costumes, props, photographs, and videos bring the visual and performative universe of Kabuki to life, revealing a journey from the mid-18th century to the early 20th century, an era of revolution that witnessed the end of the feudal regime, the emergence of modern Japan, and the transformation of Kabuki from cheap entertainment for the masses, adored but banned by respectable society, into a proud symbol of national identity.