The Third Bando Hikosaburo as a Man Standing on the Bank of a River 1783 - 1803

Katsukawa Shun'ei created this woodblock print, "The Third Bando Hikosaburo as a Man Standing on the Bank of a River," sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The actor stands on the riverbank, leaning on a walking stick, under a branch heavy with leaves. The composition is arranged vertically; the figure, central and statuesque, dominates the pictorial space. The colour palette is restrained, with muted greens, browns, and creams defining the landscape and the actor’s attire. A formal analysis reveals the artist’s keen attention to line and pattern. The gentle curve of the riverbank and the cascading foliage contrast with the straight lines of the actor’s garments and staff. This contrast highlights Shun’ei’s understanding of semiotic systems, where each visual component carries a cultural code, inviting us to explore the layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple composition. The print challenges the notion of a singular, fixed interpretation and instead invites ongoing dialogue.