ACTOR c. 1853

Curator: This intriguing print, titled "Actor" is by Murai Fusatane and is held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The patterning on the robes is beautiful but overwhelming—like a dense textile almost consuming the figure. Curator: The chrysanthemums adorning the figure’s robe symbolize longevity, and the actor's pale face evokes a sense of melancholy, perhaps reflecting the tragic role he embodies. Editor: I'm also drawn to the textures. The woodblock printing technique has a real handmade feel, emphasizing the labor involved in its creation and circulation. Curator: Absolutely, the choice of portraying an actor connects deeply with Japanese cultural traditions, specifically, the emotional depth conveyed through performance and costume. Editor: It's a fascinating intersection of craft, performance, and symbolic meaning, all rendered on a relatively modest scale. Curator: It certainly provides much to consider about the relationship between image, identity, and cultural memory.