['Actors as rabbit and badger', 'wood, fire, earth, metal, water'] 1840

Editor: This is "Actors as rabbit and badger," a woodblock print from 1840 by Utagawa Kunisada, at the Rijksmuseum. It's quite striking and seems almost comical, with these figures dressed as animals. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's more than comical, it's a powerful form of social commentary embedded within Ukiyo-e tradition. Think about it: Kunisada, working under censorship, uses caricature, animal representation, and the theatrical world as a mask to engage in critiques. Editor: Critiques of what exactly? Is there a particular message you think Kunisada was trying to send? Curator: Definitely! The choice of rabbit and badger is intentional. Rabbits are often symbols of cleverness and even trickery, while badgers can represent resilience or stubbornness. The "elements" included in the title also are telling. Perhaps Kunisada uses these familiar symbols to talk about contemporary social tensions, class differences, or the very restrictive political climate of the time, without directly challenging authority. What kind of power do you see represented or challenged here? Editor: I see that there is tension. What's going on with the figure dressed as a rabbit who is on top, he has that stone in hand. I’d never considered it from a perspective of veiled political statement, but it makes sense given the era and censorship issues. It gives the image so much more weight. Curator: Exactly! It prompts us to question who holds power and how it's being wielded. What could each element, the stone for example, stand for within this complex power dynamic? The actors are no doubt making very specific connections with theater patrons. Considering the context truly unearths layers of meaning we might otherwise miss. Editor: I now see it as far more nuanced than just a funny print. The social commentary really reframes my understanding. Curator: And that’s the power of art, isn't it? It speaks across time, revealing hidden truths if we learn how to listen to it critically.