The Actor Asao Tamejuro I as Drunken Gotobei in Act Three of the Play Yoshitsune Koshigoe Jo (Yoshitsune's Koshigoe Petition), Performed at the Ichimura Theater from the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month, 1790 c. 1790

Editor: This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei, around 1790, portrays the actor Asao Tamejuro I. I'm struck by the starkness and detail; it almost feels like we're intruding on a very personal moment. How does this piece speak to its cultural context? Curator: Well, first, consider this artwork within the vibrant ukiyo-e tradition of Edo period Japan. Prints like these were incredibly popular, acting as a form of mass media depicting celebrities and popular culture. They show the public role of art in this period. Who are the "celebrities"? Editor: The actors! Curator: Precisely! The actor Asao Tamejuro I, playing Drunken Gotobei. What do you observe about how his role—and persona—is constructed in this image? Think about costume, posture, expression. Editor: His clothing is rumpled, he has stubble, a sword but no shoes, and he needs a walking stick. And his face is puffy. He definitely looks the worse for wear! Was this intended to be humorous? Curator: Potentially. And this print likely circulated among theatergoers, reinforcing Asao Tamejuro I’s popularity and promoting the play, and would've influenced the actor’s and audiences’ understanding of this character. Think about the relationship between the theatre, these prints, and the audience. Can you speculate on why actor prints were so popular? Editor: To own a piece of the spectacle, to keep the memory alive and to maybe even show support for a favourite performer? It seems to point to a really thriving performance culture. Curator: Exactly. These prints democratized access to celebrity. I hadn't thought of it quite like that, thanks for your perspective. Editor: It's been really insightful, looking at the art world not as something separate, but integrated with the day to day culture.