Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II in a Sukeroku Play c. 1794

Editor: This is Katsukawa Shun'ei's woodblock print, "Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II in a Sukeroku Play." The patterns are so striking and the actor's pose is quite powerful. What historical context informs our reading of this piece? Curator: Absolutely. Ukiyo-e prints like this were integral to the burgeoning merchant class. Kabuki theatre was their primary form of entertainment. Prints immortalizing popular actors allowed audiences to engage in a dialogue about class, aspiration, and even transgression. Editor: Transgression? Curator: Yes, these actors, often portraying outlaw figures, became symbols of rebellion against the rigid social hierarchies. Did this change your perception of the actor's pose and expression? Editor: It does! Seeing it as a challenge to authority gives it so much more depth. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about art as part of social narratives always enriches our understanding.