Actors Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as Soga no Gorō and Bandō Mitsugorō 3rd as Asahina no Saburō in the Armor-Pulling Scene (Kusazuribiki) Possibly 1827

Curator: Just look at the raw, expressive energy! Utagawa Kunisada’s print of actors in the “Armor-Pulling Scene” practically vibrates with tension. Editor: Absolutely. Considering Kunisada’s history, his immersion in the Edo period’s theatre scene really brings this to life, doesn't it? These actors, Ichikawa Danjūrō and Bandō Mitsugorō, are embodying specific power dynamics onstage. Curator: Precisely. What's striking is the woodblock printing process itself – each line, each color block, meticulously carved and layered. It’s a testament to the artisan's skill and the print's function within popular culture. This wasn't some rarefied object; it was a commodity. Editor: And a commodity with cultural weight. The exaggerated poses, the stylized expressions – they speak to codified gender roles and masculine performance. The power struggle becomes a visual metaphor for societal tensions. Curator: A fascinating perspective! It reminds us to look beyond the surface and consider the social conditions that shaped both the artwork and its reception. Editor: Indeed. I appreciate how this piece invites us to interpret the intersection of art, theatre, and identity.