Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Kunisada's portrait of Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō. I’m struck by the figure’s stern expression, especially contrasted with the delicate floral motifs. What’s your read on this piece? Curator: The actor print, or yakusha-e, allows us to consider the construction of identity in 19th-century Japan. How did the role of the actor, both on and off stage, challenge or reinforce societal norms? The actor’s gaze, seemingly confronting us, invites us to consider our own role in this performance. Editor: That’s a great point. It makes you wonder what role he is playing. Curator: Exactly! And beyond that, how did the theater itself function as a space for social commentary and perhaps even, subtle resistance? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. It’s much more complex than just a portrait. Curator: Precisely, and that complexity is where the most compelling conversations begin!