Ono no Komachi vraagt om water: Ichikawa Danjûrô op een boot c. 1830 - 1835

Curator: Utagawa Kuniyasu's woodblock print, dating from around 1830-1835, is titled "Ono no Komachi vraagt om water: Ichikawa Danjûrô op een boot", which translates to "Ono no Komachi Asks for Water: Ichikawa Danjûrô on a Boat". The work resides here at the Rijksmuseum. What's your immediate take on this? Editor: Honestly? A little claustrophobic. The figure dominates the frame, crammed onto this tiny boat with a thatched roof almost grazing the top edge. It feels like a stage set. He almost seems grumpy, longing for open space and maybe, some water. Curator: Indeed. What might seem strange to us is the reference to Ono no Komachi. She was a famed female poet and one of the 'Thirty-Six Immortal Poets’ – this work links a Kabuki actor, Ichikawa Danjûrô, to her persona. Kabuki often employed these playful reinterpretations of classical tales. It's intriguing how this print intersects popular culture, theatrical representation, and the legacy of classical poetry. Editor: Oh, Kabuki, got it. It makes more sense now. The exaggerated expression, the checked pattern on the robe… suddenly, it all clicks into place. It's performative discomfort, right? The tension between this flamboyant, costumed character and the everyday request for water... Curator: Precisely. Woodblock prints, particularly Ukiyo-e, served as advertising, documenting popular actors in celebrated roles, circulating the image and legend further. The production and consumption of these images depended on a thriving urban culture and theatrical scene. Editor: It’s like a vintage theatre poster! But, also, I wonder about the role of the viewer. Are we supposed to sympathize, laugh, or just admire the skill of the artist and printer? It's not straightforward. Curator: That ambiguity is at the heart of much Ukiyo-e art. There is an undeniable element of spectacle. It's worth observing the use of perspective and line. Kuniyasu simplifies forms yet conveys texture through the layered printing. See how the reeds in the water create depth with such economy? Editor: Now I appreciate the boat a lot more as a form that draws our eye, almost against our will, into that further landscape. It still feels very constrained for me, but, a new and delightful feeling is emerging now. Thank you for making this more approachable. Curator: Absolutely! By delving into the social fabric and performance culture of its time, these woodblock prints reveal a rich tapestry of artistic practice and visual storytelling.