I Brigade, First Group, Japan Bridge (Nihonbashi): Actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Fish Vendor Isshin Tashichi, from the series Flowers of Edo and Famous Sites (Edo no hana meishō-e) 1862

Curator: Utagawa Kunisada's print, "I Brigade, First Group, Japan Bridge," features the actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV. It's a fascinating mix of portraiture and landscape. What strikes you initially? Editor: It's the collage-like composition that grabs me. It’s very busy. I wonder, what was Kunisada trying to convey by combining these seemingly disparate scenes? Curator: The print reflects the Edo period's fascination with celebrity and place. These actor prints weren't just portraits; they were marketing tools, endorsements, and reflections of popular culture. How do you think this print functioned within the societal context of its time? Editor: So, it’s less about pure artistic expression and more about engaging with a specific audience and promoting a particular persona? Curator: Precisely! The cultural context shaped its very existence. Understanding that gives us a deeper appreciation. Editor: I hadn't thought about the print in that way before. Seeing it as a product of its socio-political moment really changes how I view it.