Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as Matsuomaru c. late to mid 19th century

Editor: This is Utagawa Kunisada’s woodblock print of “Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō 7th as Matsuomaru." I am struck by the intensity of the actor’s gaze. What's your interpretation of this dramatic portrait? Curator: He’s caught between duty and sorrow, wouldn't you say? The rigid lines of the costume contrast with the vulnerable expression, like a tightly leashed storm. It's the Kabuki theatre distilled into a single, heart-wrenching moment. Editor: I see that tension now; the bold dragons against that anguished face create such a powerful contrast. It really makes you wonder about the story behind the performance. Curator: Exactly! Art isn’t just about what you see, it’s about feeling the story ripple beneath the surface.