Memorial Portrait of the Actor Segawa Kikunojō V Possibly 1833

This memorial portrait of the actor Segawa Kikunojo V was made by Utagawa Kunisada, using woodblock printing. This was a widely used technique in Japan, particularly during the Edo period. Consider the materiality of the print: thin paper, and the ways in which it absorbs the ink. The lines are crisp, but the colors are soft. Look closely and you’ll see the layered impressions of multiple blocks, each carrying a different color. This required careful labor by highly skilled artisans. The production of these prints was part of a well-established industry, with different workshops handling design, carving, printing, and publishing. Woodblock prints were relatively inexpensive. These widely available images were affordable representations of famous actors and popular stories. The commercial success of this genre supported a network of craftsmen and artists. By considering the social and economic context of its production, we can understand how deeply this memorial print is embedded in its time. It's a perfect example of how so-called ‘high art’ and craft are inextricably linked.