Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as Usui no Sadamitsu in the play Yama mata yama hana no yamagatsu at the Ichimura Theatre (11th month of 1823), with poem by Hōshitei Masunari c. 1824 - 1827

Curator: This print by Utagawa Kunisada captures the actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō VII in the play "Yama mata yama hana no yamagatsu" from 1823. The poem above is by Hōshitei Masunari. Editor: It has an almost frantic energy, doesn't it? The actor's pose, the aggressive patterns, it feels less about representation and more about performance itself. Curator: Precisely. Kabuki prints served a vital function beyond mere records; they were key to shaping the actor's brand and solidifying the play's cultural impact. Editor: Look closely at that sword. The metalwork, the way it reflects light… it speaks to the artisan's skill, highlighting the value placed on craftsmanship within this popular art form. Curator: The print is also an intersection of artistic and social identities. The actor's persona, the playwright's words, the artist's rendering; all contribute to a complex cultural narrative. Editor: It encourages us to see popular theatre not just as entertainment but as a complex network of creative labor, cultural values, and economic forces at play. Curator: And how these prints played a crucial part in the distribution and consumption of those performances. Editor: Definitely, and that’s something to keep in mind when we look at this work.