FIGURE IN ELABORATE COSTUME 18th-19th century

Curator: This intriguing print, "Figure in Elaborate Costume," is by Yanagawa Shigenobu, who lived from 1787 to 1832. Look at her attire—it's quite the spectacle, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. My first thought is of performativity. The figure’s pose and the extravagant dragon headdress suggest a character ready to take the stage. Who is she meant to represent? Curator: The dragon is a potent symbol, often linked to imperial power and wisdom. She could be embodying a powerful female figure from myth or history. Also, note the fans. Editor: Ah yes, the fans. It’s interesting how the inscribed fan she holds obscures rather than reveals. It speaks to the hidden or unsaid aspects of women's roles within traditional Japanese society. Curator: Yes, the fan operates as a symbol for an array of sentiments from love to war depending on its style and application. Such costuming and symbolic props aided in establishing archetypes for emotional expression on the stage. Editor: Understanding this print requires delving into the semiotics of Edo-period theater, the intersection of gender, performance, and power. Curator: Indeed, it's a window into a complex cultural narrative. Editor: A visual archive, waiting to be unpacked.