Actor BANDO MITSUGORO 1ST AS ASAHINA 

Curator: Katsukawa Shunko’s print depicts the actor Bando Mitsugoro I as Asahina, the historical figure of the Kamakura period known for his superhuman strength. Editor: There’s such a subdued energy to it. The muted palette, the downturned face—it’s a powerful contrast to the heroic figure you describe. Curator: Kabuki imagery was meticulously crafted to reflect the social dynamics of the time. Consider the placement of Asahina within the print; the arrows, the textured background, the layers of symbolic meaning! Editor: It makes me wonder about the experience of theater-goers, and what identities they brought with them into the performance space. Did this portrayal resonate with ideas about masculinity or the role of the warrior? Curator: Absolutely, and it's crucial to remember that the consumption of these images also contributed to the actor's public persona. It's a complex relationship. Editor: A reminder that art is so often a mirror and a stage—reflecting and performing the values of its time. Curator: Precisely! It makes you consider our own performances of identity today.