Actor Nakayama Tomisaburō AS A SERVANT 

Editor: So, this woodblock print, "Actor Nakayama Tomisaburō as a Servant" by Katsukawa Shun'ei, really strikes me. The figure's tension is palpable. How does this depiction of an actor in a role reflect its historical context? Curator: Well, consider the role of Kabuki theater in Edo-period Japan. These actor prints, *yakusha-e*, weren't just portraits. They were celebrity endorsements, shaping public perception and even influencing fashion. What does the servant role suggest to you about societal hierarchies? Editor: Perhaps a commentary on social roles and expectations within the rigid class system? It's fascinating how art can both reflect and mold public opinion. Curator: Exactly. Shun'ei wasn't just capturing a likeness; he was participating in a cultural dialogue about identity and status through a popular medium. Do you think that kind of cultural commentary is still relevant today?