Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 8th Making Debut Performance of Shibaraku, with poems by Sanjō (father Ichikawa Danjurō 7th) and Bunbunsha c. 1830 - 1843

Editor: This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII in a *Shibaraku* performance. The powerful red and white costume really grabs your attention, but what strikes me is the inclusion of poetry. What can you tell me about that? Curator: The poems, by Danjūrō's father and another writer, locate this print within a larger cultural context. *Shibaraku* was a signature role for the Ichikawa lineage, and these prints served to publicize and celebrate their theatrical legacy. They also served as a kind of fan art of the public figure that the Kabuki actor occupied. Editor: So it’s not just a portrait, but a statement about family, art, and popular culture all at once. That's fascinating. Curator: Precisely. The print becomes a record of a specific performance, embedded in a web of social and artistic relationships.