Otani Tomoemon as Kanshojo 1927

Natori Shunsen made this print of Otani Tomoemon as Kanshojo, and I imagine the artist working painstakingly to build up these layers of ink in his studio. The figure appears to be caught in a moment of reflection, maybe of grief. The smooth, creamy planes of his face contrast with the geometric patterns and textures of his costume. I see Shunsen carefully carving each line, each shape, and each curve. The artist’s touch is so evident, I can almost feel the physical act of creating this woodblock print. The composition feels incredibly contemporary. I feel as if I could have seen the same portrait at a contemporary opera—the artist probably looked at other similar works, and in turn, artists who followed probably looked at this, too. There is an ongoing conversation that artists have with one another across time. I can feel this artist really trying to make something incredibly moving.