Bugaku Dance c. 18 - 19

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to Takashima Chiharu’s “Bugaku Dance,” a shikishiban print housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a dancer with a sword, assuming a dramatic pose. What strikes you first? Editor: The tension! The diagonal of the sword against the figure’s kneeling stance creates such a dynamic composition. It feels active, almost aggressive. Curator: Woodblock prints like this one were, of course, a commercial venture. We need to consider the skilled labor involved in carving the blocks, the paper production, and distribution networks that made this affordable art. Editor: Absolutely, and we shouldn't separate that from the cultural context. Bugaku dance was historically performed at the imperial court, and later became more accessible. This print perhaps signifies a desire for broader participation in elite art forms? Curator: A fascinating thought, indeed. The materiality, the way the ink sits on the paper, gives it a depth despite its relative simplicity. Editor: And the dance itself, even in this static image, embodies resistance—challenging societal norms through movement and expression. Curator: So, we're left with a complex interplay of production and performance, each informing our understanding of this visually compelling work. Editor: Precisely. It’s about who gets to participate in culture and how we interpret those performances today.