The actors Nakamura Fukusuke IV as Neiojo and Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Hachiro Tametomo 1897

This three-panel woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika captures actors in character, likely sometime in the late 19th century. The material is key here, as it's a multi-layered printing process, requiring the carving of a separate block for each color. Kunichika was renowned for his vibrant depictions of Kabuki actors, and the choice of the woodblock medium wasn't just aesthetic. Woodblock prints were relatively affordable, making them accessible to a wide audience, and therefore a key vehicle for popularizing Kabuki theatre. The work involved in producing such a print was considerable: from the initial design to the carving of the blocks and the careful application of color, it was a collaborative effort between artist, block carver, and printer. This echoes the collaborative nature of Kabuki itself, a theatrical form that involves actors, musicians, and stagehands. In both cases, the finished artwork or performance is the result of many hands and minds working together. This challenges the notion of the artist as a solitary genius, and instead highlights the social dimension of artistic creation.