Mizutani Yaeko as Tsubaki-hime in La Traviata 1931

Natori Shunsen made this woodblock print of Mizutani Yaeko as Tsubaki-hime sometime in the 20th century. Shunsen’s approach feels so immediate because he doesn’t try to conceal the mark-making, instead, he celebrates the process. There’s a sensitivity in the way the figure is constructed. It's not just about representing the actor, but about capturing a mood. Look at the gentle gradient of the purple background, and how it subtly shifts the perception of depth. The details in her hair, the delicate curve of her neck, the playful pattern of her blue kimono – they all add up to something deeply felt. The way she holds that little dog; it’s almost too much! And I’m kind of into that. There’s an interesting conversation happening with artists like Utamaro, who also depicted actors. But Shunsen brings a modern sensibility to the tradition. Like a good painting, this print embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own stories to the work.