Actor Sawamura SōjÅ«rō 2nd, AS A KARAKA DANCER 

Curator: This striking woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei depicts Actor Sawamura Sojuro II in the role of a Karaka dancer. It's part of the collection here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The pastel colors create a surprisingly serene mood, though the actor's expression seems quite intense, almost confrontational. I wonder about that contrast. Curator: Kabuki roles often relied on codified symbols, and here we see Sojuro II holding a small bell, suggesting his character's role in the performance. The elaborate ruffled costume also signifies a particular stage persona. Editor: It's interesting how the artist uses the print medium to convey both the grandeur of the performance and the individual emotion of the actor. I'm thinking about the artist's possible commentary on rigid social roles. Curator: Perhaps the print served as a kind of cultural memory, preserving the actor's performance beyond the stage. It’s a striking image of a celebrated performer. Editor: Yes, seeing it through this lens definitely shifts my perception. It is not just a portrait of a dancer, but a cultural and political statement.