Rokujizo (Kyogen), from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Editor: This is Tsukioka Kōgyo’s woodblock print, "Rokujizo (Kyogen)," made around 1898, part of the "Pictures of No Performances" series. It has this muted palette and what seems to be a quirky composition. What exactly is going on here? Curator: It is indeed a peculiar little snapshot, isn’t it? My sense is that Kōgyo is pulling back the curtain on the Noh theater, capturing the delightful in-between moments backstage. Look closely: you've got actors still holding props—the Rokujizo’s staff and offering—yet already halfway out of character as another’s checking on his very distracting bald spot, probably. The humor comes through, doesn’t it? It’s not just the theatrical garb or the formal staging of traditional ukiyo-e, but something… well, much more human. Editor: Human, definitely! There's something relatable in catching those candid moments, almost like a behind-the-scenes documentary. Does the "Rokujizo" title relate directly to the play being depicted, or is it more symbolic? Curator: Hmm, there lies the intriguing question, doesn't it? Rokujizo are bodhisattvas who help people achieve salvation. The drama within, of course, takes its own shape: salvation or entertainment for us, perhaps? Editor: This makes me think differently about ukiyo-e. It’s not always about grand narratives. Thank you. Curator: And thank you. Maybe the grand narrative *is* made up of tiny fleeting scenes. I am struck, aren't you, by how fresh and familiar the stage can appear.