The Actor Ichikawa Ebizō (Danjūrō V) as the Elderly Samurai Sasaki Ganryū (?) 1792

Editor: We're looking at a woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei from 1792, titled "The Actor Ichikawa Ebizō (Danjūrō V) as the Elderly Samurai Sasaki Ganryū (?)." It strikes me as incredibly theatrical, almost confrontational with the bold red makeup. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's vital to view this through the lens of Edo-period theatre, and the representation of marginalized identities within. How might the portrayal of the elderly samurai by a celebrated actor, be a comment on societal expectations, gender roles, and perhaps even class? Editor: So, you're suggesting that the artwork uses theatre as a space to talk about social and political issues? Curator: Precisely. Consider the highly stylized makeup, known as 'kumadori'. It’s a signifier of certain character traits within the Kabuki lexicon. Can it be seen as not just decorative, but as a form of protest against prevailing beauty standards and expectations surrounding masculinity? Editor: I never thought about makeup as a form of protest! Curator: Think about it. The Kabuki theatre, while popular, was often viewed with suspicion by the ruling classes. The very act of performance, of embodying someone else, becomes a challenge to rigid social hierarchies. This print is not just a portrait, it is an argument! How does it engage with the period’s broader discussions surrounding social order? Editor: It’s fascinating how much can be unpacked from a single image when we start considering its historical and cultural context. It definitely adds layers of complexity beyond just the surface level aesthetics. Curator: Absolutely, it becomes an opening to understand power, representation, and identity. What began as confronting, opens channels for social change.