Bandō Hikosaburō II Dressed as a Komuso and Carrying the Flute and Hat 1761

This print of Bandō Hikosaburō II, made by Ishikawa Toyonobu, is a woodblock print, a medium that speaks volumes about the culture of its time. The key here is the process of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," a truly collaborative and highly skilled process. The artist would create the design, but then specialized carvers and printers would take over. Each color requires a separate block, carefully aligned to create the final image. The lines of the actor's robe and the subtle gradations of color are all testament to the expertise involved. Woodblock printing was a commercial enterprise, making art accessible to a wider public. This print gives us a glimpse into the vibrant world of Japanese theater and its stars, cleverly crafted through labor-intensive methods, that democratized art and celebrated popular culture.