Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as the Great Thief Onoemon, with poems by Bunkeisha Shiomichi, Bunkyosha Hazemaru and Bunraisha Matsunami c. early 19th century

Editor: This is Utagawa Kunisada's "Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō 7th as the Great Thief Onoemon," a woodblock print. The stark lines and powerful figure are striking. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the emphasis on line, the texture in the actor's robe, and the prominent display of the poems. It speaks to the cultural consumption surrounding Kabuki theater in Edo-period Japan. How do these elements contribute to the print's overall impact as a commodity? Editor: It makes me think about the production process, from the actor's performance to the block carver's skill, and how that all translates into a desirable object. Curator: Precisely! It’s about labor, material, and how those translate into cultural value. Editor: So, it’s less about high art, more about popular consumption? Curator: The division is blurred. Kunisada was a master craftsman responding to market demands. Thinking about art this way really opens it up.