Actor Ichimura Kamezō as Jirō of Kyoto c. 1750

Editor: We’re looking at Torii Kiyomitsu’s woodblock print, "Actor Ichimura Kamezō as Jirō of Kyoto." The patterns on the actor's robe seem to overwhelm him. What can we say about the materials and production of this artwork? Curator: Focus on the woodblock print medium. The labor involved in carving the blocks and the materials—paper, ink, wood—speak to a system of production. How does the commercial nature of ukiyo-e influence the way we understand this actor's portrayal and its wider social context? Editor: So, the material itself tells a story about labor and consumption? Curator: Precisely. The print's availability reflects the growing merchant class and their appetite for images of popular culture, like Kabuki actors. Editor: I hadn't considered the materials as a starting point. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, thinking about production methods offers a valuable lens.