Ichikawa Shikô (Ichikawa Morinosuke) als Tôken Jûbei in het toneelstuk ‘Hyôkumon kuruwa no nishiki-e’, Takeda Theater 1847

Editor: So, here we have "Ichikawa Shikô (Ichikawa Morinosuke) als Tôken Jûbei in het toneelstuk ‘Hyôkumon kuruwa no nishiki-e’, Takeda Theater," a woodblock print created in 1847 by Utagawa Yoshiume. It strikes me as a rather dramatic portrait – a stage persona caught in a moment of reflection. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, it’s a captivating piece of Ukiyo-e, isn’t it? For me, it whispers tales of the floating world. The exaggerated features, that almost caricatured intensity…it's pure Kabuki theatre captured in ink and color. What do you think it tells us about the relationship between reality and performance? Editor: Hmmm, performance... I suppose it's presenting a version of reality. What I’m also drawn to is the composition, the way the artist uses the text boxes, and the figure seems confined, yet also powerful. It's quite the dichotomy. Curator: Exactly! And the choice of color isn't random. Notice how the subdued background pushes the figure forward? The vibrant red sleeve practically sings! I sometimes wonder if Yoshiume felt a bit like Tôken Jûbei himself - performing for an audience, conveying a truth through a mask. Makes you think, doesn't it? Editor: It really does! I came in thinking it was just a portrait, but now I see so much more about performance, identity, and even the artist’s perspective. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Every piece of art is just waiting to whisper its secrets; you just have to listen.