Actor Onoe Kikugorō 3rd as Sakuramaru c. 1815 - 1830

Curator: This striking woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Onoe Kikugoro III as Sakuramaru. It’s currently part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The tension in this image is palpable! I immediately notice the actor's dynamic pose and the intricate patterns of the kimono. Curator: Indeed. The print offers insight into 19th-century Japanese theater and celebrity culture. Sakuramaru was a popular character, symbolizing loyalty and bravery. Editor: And the materiality—the paper itself, the woodblock carvings, the layers of ink—all speak to a rich tradition of craftsmanship and the labor involved in producing these prints. Curator: Yes, and the image connects to broader social narratives of the time, especially the role of actors and their representation in popular culture. Editor: Looking closely at the layers of production really transforms our understanding of this seemingly simple image. Curator: Absolutely, it reminds us how art can be both a reflection and a shaper of the world around it.