Actor Nakamura Kichiemon I as Otokonosuke 1931

This woodblock print of Actor Nakamura Kichiemon I as Otokonosuke, was made by Natori Shunsen. I'm so intrigued by the way Shunsen simplifies this actor's face, but then uses incredible details to construct this complex and emotional character. I can really imagine Shunsen carefully carving each line into the woodblock, thinking about the weight and pressure needed to create the right effect. It's almost sculptural, like he's chiseling away at the surface to reveal something hidden beneath. I wonder if Shunsen ever felt like he was in character with the actor? The face is so expressive, those eyebrows are giving me life! The color choices, the way the red pops against the black hair, it's all so deliberate. The contrast between the detailed robes and the plain background, makes me want to explore this character more. What is he thinking? What's about to happen? Shunsen and other artists were clearly in dialogue, borrowing, and riffing on each other's ideas. It's like they were all part of this big, messy conversation about how to represent the world around them.