Actors Bandō Hikosaburō and Matsumoto Koshirō 2ND AS THE SOGA BROTHERS 

Curator: This woodblock print, attributed to Torii Kiyohiro, depicts Actors Bando Hikosaburo and Matsumoto Koshiro II as the Soga Brothers. Notice the roosters held by each figure. Editor: The roosters immediately strike me. They're held almost like sacred objects, imbuing the scene with a ceremonial gravity despite its theatrical nature. Curator: Indeed, the rooster is a loaded symbol in Japanese culture, representing courage, vigilance, and even divination. Here, they allude to the Soga brothers’ legendary quest for revenge. Editor: It’s interesting how the actors are almost posing with these animals. They’re both part of the drama, but also slightly detached, hinting at the constructed nature of performance and identity. Curator: Absolutely. These prints were immensely popular, allowing audiences to connect with their favorite actors while also engaging with powerful narratives and their symbolic underpinnings. Editor: It’s a beautiful dance between artifice and archetype, isn’t it? Something to really crow about.