The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Kakogawa Honzo in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Kawarazaki Theater in the Fifth Month, 1795 c. 1795

Editor: Here we have Katsukawa Shun'ei's woodblock print, "The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Kakogawa Honzo in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura," created around 1795. It's currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. What immediately strikes me is the intensity of his gaze – a mix of defiance and perhaps… sadness? What do you see in this piece? Curator: The sadness, definitely. Ukiyo-e prints, especially those depicting actors, were more than just celebrity snapshots, they were reflections of societal dramas. This image captures the weight of Honzo’s role, a character burdened by conflicting loyalties. Do you see how the strong diagonal of the sword mirrors the tension in his posture? Editor: Yes, the sword’s position definitely emphasizes a sense of conflict, but also power. How much of this is about the real actor versus the character he is portraying? Curator: It's a dance between the two, isn’t it? Shun'ei captures the essence of Matsumoto Koshiro IV, his recognizable features, but it's all filtered through the lens of Honzo’s emotional turmoil. The subtle color palette too – the somber black balanced by the hints of red and green, adding layers of complexity, of life…and imminent doom perhaps. A play of shadows and emotions. What do you think the bare leg signifies? Editor: Perhaps vulnerability? Exposing what is normally hidden. Curator: Precisely. Stripped bare, both literally and figuratively, before a difficult choice. These Ukiyo-e artists, they weren’t just carving wood, were carving souls. Editor: That’s beautifully put! It’s amazing how much narrative can be packed into a single image. I’ll definitely look at Ukiyo-e prints with a different eye from now on. Curator: Excellent, maybe this intense looking character with his exposed everything, leaves us more thoughtful about seeing those who, throughout their dramatic displays, bear it all for our viewing pleasure, doesn't he?