Kiso Residence after Suhara Station- (Actor Morita Kan’ya X) as Yoshikata Possibly 1852

Curator: This woodblock print, likely created around 1852 by Utagawa Kunisada, is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The artwork is entitled "Kiso Residence after Suhara Station (Actor Morita Kanya X) as Yoshikata." Editor: My gosh, this hits hard. The vulnerability in that figure's face—despite the dramatic presentation—it just grabs you. All that… red! It’s theatrical, almost grotesque, but undeniably moving. Curator: This print is part of the Ukiyo-e tradition, and focuses specifically on kabuki theatre, portraying the actor Morita Kanya X as the character Yoshikata. These actor prints served multiple purposes. Beyond celebrating the individual performer, they also circulated storylines, social commentary, and political undertones through coded representations. Editor: The composition’s fascinating. You’ve got this intimate, almost claustrophobic focus on the central figure and then, in the background, hints of this expansive landscape... almost like a dreamscape behind him. And those intense colors! That turquoise contrasted with that shocking crimson creates an immediate emotional intensity. Curator: The choice of representing Yoshikata mid-ritual suicide is indeed significant. Sepukku, or ritual disembowelment, carries a huge cultural and historical weight in Japan as an act of defiance and reclamation of honor. This portrayal raises questions about power, agency, and societal expectations imposed on individuals, especially those in positions of authority. Editor: So, even in this moment of… self-destruction… he’s making a statement? He's still "performing", isn’t he? Curator: Precisely. Think about the actor's identity, his portrayal of this role. We must look at the intricate layers of representation – the character, the actor, and the larger societal context in which they operate to unpack deeper meanings concerning social structure and gender roles. Editor: Seeing art like this—raw and emotional and even a little bit disturbing—makes you feel less alone, somehow. Like these shared, very human moments have always existed, and they always will. Curator: Absolutely, that speaks to the enduring power of Ukiyo-e. The art captures human experience at a crucial point in time for continued examination.