The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume Choja (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1784 (?) c. 1784

Editor: So this print, dating back to around 1784, is by Katsukawa Shunshō. It depicts the actor Nakamura Riko I in the role of Lady Manko. The materiality of it is really interesting; you can really see the layering of the woodblock printing. How do you approach something like this? Curator: First, consider the physical labor embedded within its production. Each line, each color, results from the careful carving and pressing of wood. Think about the system supporting this: who sourced the wood? What tools did the artisans use? Consider too the hierarchies inherent in the production, the master artist, versus the often anonymous carvers and printers. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't fully considered! How does that relate to the social context? Curator: Well, these prints, particularly those of actors, became a commodity. Ukiyo-e, these "pictures of the floating world," catered to a burgeoning merchant class with disposable income. They were buying not just images but access, in a way, to the glamorous world of the Kabuki theatre, and the actors themselves. Consider the cost of this print relative to daily wages. Editor: So, the print becomes a sort of consumable object, reflecting social aspirations. Does focusing on these material conditions change how we see the artistic intent? Curator: I think it enriches it. By understanding the labor, materials, and market forces, we ground the artistic vision within a tangible reality. The beauty is no longer just aesthetic; it's tied to the social fabric of Edo-period Japan. How has your view shifted after this discussion? Editor: It really helps me move beyond simply appreciating the visual to understanding the cultural machine behind its production. The means of production aren't just secondary; they are part of the story. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing these layers reveals the depth and complexity inherent in even seemingly simple works like this.