Kabuki Actors Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as Soga no Gorō and Iwai Shijaku 1st as Kewaizaka no Shōshō, with poems by Bunkeisha Shiomichi, Bunseisha Harushige, and Bunsaisha Fudemaru Possibly 1824

Curator: This colorful woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai features Kabuki actors Ichikawa Danjuro 7th as Soga no Goro and Iwai Shijaku 1st as Kewaizaka no Shosho. Editor: The theatrical gestures! The fabric patterns! There's so much artifice on display, a clear demonstration of labor-intensive production for a culture of avid consumers. Curator: Absolutely! The imagery of Kabuki actors carries significant cultural weight. Note how the central male figure’s exaggerated makeup and pose signify heroism. The butterfly design on his robe represents transformation. Editor: And consider the actual carving of those butterfly designs. Woodblock printing was both a high art and a commercial enterprise—each print, a consumable commodity, imbued with symbolic meaning. The surrounding text adds another layer of complexity. Curator: Indeed. The poems contribute to the overall narrative and emotional impact. Editor: It’s fascinating to consider how this print operated within a complex system of artistic production and cultural values, all circulating within a consumer economy. Curator: A rich intersection of performance, symbolism, and cultural memory preserved for us.