Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Kujaku Saburō Narihira 1794

Editor: So, here we have "Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Kujaku Saburō Narihira", a woodblock print created around 1794 by Tōshūsai Sharaku. What strikes me immediately is the actor’s exaggerated features – they almost feel… comical? What do you make of it? Curator: Exaggerated indeed! Sharaku's portraits were often… let’s say, *divisive* for his time. Some felt they were unflatteringly realistic, but I find that he’s capturing something deeper. Ukiyo-e prints were, at their core, popular art, think of them like celebrity posters today. Yet Sharaku goes beyond simple glorification. That stark realism and the way he fearlessly lays bare the human form. You can tell a lot about his soul. The interesting thing is we don't really know where Sharaku went after less than two years in the spotlight. Editor: He just vanished? What about the details of the print itself – the textures and patterns? Curator: Good eye. See how flat the background is, forcing our gaze to the actor? It's very typical. Yet observe the man’s robe; how the lines convey the fall of fabric so economically. And that cylinder that he's holding... the meticulous geometric patterns which almost act as a second portrait that offers hints about his story. The tension of opposites coexisting, which is pure artistry! The artist saw an undercurrent, which the subject hid on stage. That contrast keeps the work captivating. Editor: So it’s less about the literal depiction and more about capturing a deeper essence of the subject… something beyond the surface. Curator: Precisely. It’s a caricature, yes, but a surprisingly insightful one. It’s as if Sharaku dared to peek behind the curtain and show us the humanity of a star! It’s a lovely way to spend time. Editor: I hadn’t considered the idea of "insightful caricature" before! Now I’m starting to see it differently. Thanks for your perspective!