Actor Ichimura Kamezō (or Ichimura Uzaemon 8th) as Soga no Juro in the Soga Brothers' Revenge c. 1745

Editor: This striking print by Torii Kiyonobu II depicts actor Ichimura Kamezō as Soga no Juro. It's amazing how much detail he achieved with just a few colors. What can you tell me about the materials and process used here? Curator: Well, it’s a woodblock print, so think about the labor involved. Someone had to carve each color layer separately. These blocks then transfer the ink to the paper, a process of mass production for theater advertisements and fan art. Editor: So, it's not just the final image, but the entire production process that holds significance? Curator: Exactly! The commercial context, the skilled labor, and the materials themselves – paper, ink, wood – all contribute to the work’s meaning. What do you think about the social context of these prints? Editor: Fascinating. I’ll definitely look at ukiyo-e prints with a new perspective now, considering not just the image but its creation. Curator: And how it circulated, shaped popular culture, and was consumed. Materiality matters.