Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō as Daifukuya Sōroku 1835

Editor: Here we see Utagawa Kunisada's woodblock print, "Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō as Daifukuya Sōroku." I am immediately struck by the actor's contemplative expression, and the graphic quality of his robe. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, this print captures a popular actor in a specific role, blending celebrity culture with theatrical tradition. The intense gaze and distinctive makeup invite us into the character's emotional world. It is a world of drama, isn't it? Editor: It is! What do you think is in the box he's carrying? It looks like bottles. Curator: Ah, keen observation! Perhaps it is sake, or another refreshment, essential to the role he's portraying. A perfect complement to the drama unfolding onstage. Editor: I never considered that! The print now seems like a captured moment of a larger story. Thanks for that insight!