Portrait of Yoshida Sayaemon Kanesada 1852

Editor: We’re looking at Utagawa Kuniyoshi's print, "Portrait of Yoshida Sayaemon Kanesada," created in 1852. It's currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I find the figure intriguing. He seems to be hiding something behind his hands, with a really peculiar expression. What exactly do you see in this portrait? Curator: Well, you've hit on something immediately. This print, from the Ukiyo-e tradition, feels a bit subversive, doesn't it? While on the surface it’s a portrait of a loyal samurai, Yoshida, the style pushes towards caricature, perhaps subtly poking fun at authority. What do you make of the buzzing insect design up and to the left, almost like an angry yellow and black wasp with the sting ready? Editor: Hmm, it adds a peculiar touch, doesn't it? Almost like an irreverent signature or a commentary on the subject. Do you think the weapon he’s holding indicates his importance as a warrior? Curator: Potentially. But also, consider the composition, the color choices. Ukiyo-e prints like this weren’t just about depicting reality; they were selling stories, attitudes. That intense blue in the background... does it evoke stoicism, anxiety? What’s he hiding and is it the only thing that he might be hiding? The sword may speak to status but I think his clasped hands and concerned features really lead one to look deeper than merely what weapon he might have had available. Editor: That’s interesting. I hadn’t considered that. It makes you wonder about the stories it could be telling, beneath the surface. Is the message overt or just alluded to and a comment on culture and times. Curator: Precisely! It’s this tension, this visual pun, that makes Kuniyoshi so compelling. He's whispering secrets, daring us to listen closely. Editor: That whisper has turned into something like a scream! Thank you, I have really enjoyed seeing this from an angle that was unexpected for me.