Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke AS SOGA NO JURO 

Editor: Katsukawa Shunkō’s woodblock print, depicting Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke as Soga No Juro, is really captivating. His pose feels so dynamic and theatrical, almost like a freeze-frame from a play. What catches your eye when you look at this? Curator: For me, it’s the tension between the flat, almost decorative patterns and the actor's very human expression. You know, it's like Shunkō is saying, "Here's a story, a performance, but also a real person channeling raw emotion." The patterns almost vibrate against his face. What do you think? Editor: That's a cool way to look at it. I was focusing on his posture and the way he's holding what looks like a small sword. Curator: Right! So the combination of stylized form and passionate acting is, in my mind, like a dance between the traditional and the personal.