Onoe Kikugoro III c. 1835 - 1839

Editor: Here we have a woodblock print, "Onoe Kikugoro III" by Utagawa Kunisada, dating from around 1835 to 1839. The sharp lines of the radiating background contrast with the more detailed patterns on the figure's kimono, and that fan adds a further layer of intricacy. How do you read the overall mood of this print? Curator: Ah, Utagawa Kunisada! His works always make me smile; he captured so much drama! I find a quiet dignity here. The subject, Onoe Kikugoro III, was a famous Kabuki actor, and there's a weight to his bowed head, don't you think? But also that wonderful graphic energy! I can almost hear the *clack clack* of the woodblock echoing through time. Tell me, what feeling do you get from the color palette itself? Does it soothe you or evoke tension? Editor: It’s a bit of both, actually. The blues and muted reds are calming, but the bold black stripes definitely add a dynamic feel. Curator: Exactly! Kunisada’s brilliance lies in this tension. He gives us both tranquility and dramatic flair, much like the Kabuki plays themselves, wouldn't you say? Imagine the bustling theatre, the clashing of cymbals, and the nuanced emotions of the performers all distilled into this single print! Editor: It makes you think about all the performance involves! And to capture it in something so still… it's amazing! Curator: Indeed! What appears simple at first glance unfolds with deeper engagement, a constant discovery that never gets old. This work is like a poem that reveals more with each reading, a gift that keeps giving. Editor: Well, I will certainly think of the theatricality next time I come across ukiyo-e art.