The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Sukeroku in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Edo-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Sixth Month, 1782 c. 1782

Katsukawa Shunshō created this woodblock print in 1782, depicting the actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Sukeroku. The composition is dominated by the actor's imposing figure, his black kimono a stark contrast to the pale background, immediately drawing our focus. Shunshō masterfully uses line and form to convey character. The sharp, precise lines of the kimono and the swords suggest a sense of control and refined power. The umbrella, rendered with delicate lines and subtle gradations of color, offers a contrast, hinting at the complexities beneath the surface. The actor's intense gaze and poised stance further contribute to this duality. Consider the semiotics at play here: the umbrella is both a practical object and a symbol of status, while the swords represent both protection and aggression. The actor embodies these tensions, reflecting a society grappling with shifting social codes and performance. Through these formal elements, the print invites us to reflect on the construction of identity, the blurred lines between appearance and reality, and the performative nature of social life.