Worstelaar en twee vrouwen 1785 - 1790

Curator: This fascinating woodblock print, entitled "Worstelaar en twee vrouwen," or "Wrestler and Two Women," comes to us from Katsukawa Shun'ei, and it's thought to have been made between 1785 and 1790. Editor: My first thought? It's surprisingly gentle. Despite the imposing figure of the wrestler, there’s a delicate, almost dreamy quality to it. Like a peaceful moment backstage, almost meditative. Curator: Exactly! This is a gorgeous example of Ukiyo-e, the Japanese genre that translates to "pictures of the floating world." It gives us glimpses into the leisure and entertainment culture of the Edo period. It's tempting to consider it alongside, say, Judith Butler's reflections on performance—these are carefully constructed identities. The wrestler isn't simply existing; he's performing a role. Editor: Ooh, I love that. You can almost smell the fragrant oils they must have used. There's something incredibly tactile about the way Shun’ei renders their skin, that sort of soft, yielding flesh. And it feels private, doesn't it? Like we're peeking into a moment usually unseen. Curator: Yes, precisely. Ukiyo-e often depicted courtesans, actors, and sumo wrestlers—the celebrities of their time, if you will. However, if we apply a feminist lens, we might also question the representation of the women. Are they simply props, objects of desire, or are they active participants in this social scene? Editor: It's complicated, isn't it? They’re clearly observant, perhaps assessing, and definitely present in a way that goes beyond simple decoration. Maybe the performance you mentioned works on multiple levels. Curator: Indeed. Shun’ei wasn't just passively recording; he was shaping perceptions, perhaps even subtly critiquing the power dynamics at play within the theater. Editor: What a fascinating convergence of strength, artifice, and unspoken stories. Makes you wonder what music might've been playing in the background, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. A perfect reminder that even in a seemingly straightforward image, layers of socio-political and personal narratives await our consideration.