Sawamura Sojoro as Narihira Reizo 1927

Curator: Here we have Natori Shunsen's "Sawamura Sojoro as Narihira Reizo," a striking woodcut print from 1927. The composition is immediately captivating, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I'm drawn to the materiality – the visible woodgrain adding texture. It speaks volumes about the printmaking process itself, labor-intensive and meticulous. And there’s the caricature-like theatricality of the actor. Curator: The actor's exaggerated features, especially around the eyes and mouth, certainly lend themselves to that interpretation. However, these stylistic exaggerations are critical in Japanese Ukiyo-e portraiture and served specific purposes, particularly in depicting Kabuki actors like Sawamura Sojoro. How do you see those choices playing into the overall meaning? Editor: It’s fascinating to think about the original blocks carved by artisans, carefully chosen wood allowing for these nuanced lines. Also the way the materials interact: the paper absorbs the inks, creating the different tonalities, adding depth and richness… Curator: A keen observation about the interplay of materials. Indeed, it amplifies the visual impact, but from a formalist standpoint, look how Shunsen utilizes line. Crisp outlines define every shape and shade to give the impression of reality; it's less about pure imitation but evokes presence. Editor: For me, these prints weren't about reality. It's important to note how such work was a consumer item for an urban audience wanting access to performance or, more tellingly, to the cult of personality that such actors embodied. Think of how prints are created, purchased, displayed – all within a socio-economic framework. Curator: And yet, through formal composition, Shunsen still establishes a clear hierarchy between background and foreground, focusing our gaze on the central figure, almost to the point where it becomes confrontational and isolates itself. A rather clever construction overall. Editor: Considering these details now, you make it difficult to unsee the print and its relationship to craftsmanship. That connection of production process, plus the theatrical personality, allows a clearer understanding of the overall impact of such striking presentation. Curator: Indeed. Seeing the work through different lenses adds another enriching dimension to its beauty and context. Editor: I agree. There's so much more to this image once we consider process with such dedication to formal qualities, it allows you see new qualities after all.