Gerstle (Japanese studies, U. of London) asserts that hero worship and obsession with celebrities is not a modern phenomenon, and that in 18th and 19th century Osaka, Kabuki actors were celebrities: adored, obsessed over, celebrated by their own fan clubs. Kabuki culture included art and poetry as well as theater, and images of Kabuki heroes were captured in color woodblock prints and books. This volume features essays on Kabuki culture, a catalog of these stunning color prints, and text describing the prints' content and context. Indexed by artists, plays, and roles. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)