The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Araoka Hachiro in the Play Sakimasu ya Ume no Kachidoki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1778 c. 1778

Katsukawa Shunko created this woodblock print in 1778, depicting the actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX. Notice how the geometric precision of the robe contrasts with the expressiveness of the actor's face. The composition is structured by bold lines and flat planes of color. The rectangles framing the actor's body are a striking contrast to the organic, almost chaotic lines of his hair. This interplay of geometric and organic forms creates a tension that animates the entire image. The repetition of the maze pattern on the robe suggests a labyrinthine complexity beneath the surface. What secrets might the actor be concealing behind the layers of costume and character? The print is not merely a representation but an invitation to delve deeper into the complexities of identity and performance. By investigating the structure, we unravel hidden meanings.