Actor Nakamura KANZAEMON 3RD AS A YAKKO Edo period,

Curator: This print by Katsukawa Shunshō, dating to the late 18th century, depicts the actor Nakamura Kanzaemon III in the role of a yakko, a kind of servant. Editor: It's striking. The way the colors are blocked – especially the red and ochre – creates such a strong visual impact, almost like stage lighting itself. Curator: Indeed. The artist's work really shows the cultural weight of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The yakko, though a servant, also represents a rebellious, almost transgressive energy. The performance of social roles becomes very interesting here. Editor: I agree. And consider the materials. Woodblock printing allowed for the mass production and distribution of these images. This accessibility gave rise to a whole culture of fandom around Kabuki actors. Curator: Absolutely. The print then becomes a material object of cultural exchange, a testament to the actor's popularity, and, in some ways, a form of early celebrity endorsement. Editor: Looking at it now, the print still vibrates with that energy, that connection to a specific performance and a star. Curator: It makes me consider the fluidity of roles and identity and how that plays out on stage but also within the broader social context.