Actor ōtani Hiroji as Kudō Suketsune Edo period,

Editor: Here we have Ippitsusai Bunchō's "Actor ōtani Hiroji as Kudō Suketsune". It's a striking image on paper, and I'm curious about its historical context. What can you tell us about it? Curator: This print reflects the rising popularity of Kabuki theater in Edo-period Japan. Notice how Bunchō depicts the actor in a dynamic pose, almost larger than life. Consider the role of these prints in popularizing actors and plays, and how they functioned within the star system of the time. Editor: So, it's like a promotional poster? Curator: In a way, yes. But also a collectible, a piece of cultural currency. The image immortalizes a specific performance. Who was seeing it, and what did it mean to them? Editor: That's fascinating. It makes me think about the power of celebrity and image-making, even back then. Curator: Exactly. The print's social function shaped its artistic choices, reflecting and influencing public perception.