The Actors Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as Soga no Goro and Ikushima Daikichi II as Kewaizaka no Shosho in the play "Monzukushi Nagoya Soga," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the first month, 1748 1748

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyomasu II captures actors in a play from 1748. Dominantly, the image employs a muted palette of greens and creams, lending it a serene yet stylized quality. Notice how Kiyomasu uses line—bold outlines define the figures, while finer strokes detail the umbrella and foliage. The composition is carefully structured with the standing figure on the left balanced by the seated one on the right, beneath a stylized tree. The umbrella acts as a visual bridge, uniting the two. This print isn't just a record of a theatrical performance, it’s a study in form. Consider the interplay between representation and abstraction. The actors are rendered with recognizable features, yet their garments are flattened into patterns, challenging traditional perspective. The tension between surface and depth, between line and form, invites us to question the nature of representation itself. The print’s enduring power lies in its ability to evoke a particular time and place, while also prompting us to reflect on the enduring questions of art and representation.