The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I holding a puppet of the Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I c. 1740s

Editor: So this woodblock print, “The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I holding a puppet of the Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I,” from around the 1740s, is by Ishikawa Toyonobu and currently resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. What immediately strikes me is the interplay between the two figures, one seemingly controlling the other. What do you see in this image? Curator: I am drawn to the symbolic relationship. Think about it: an actor, Onoe Kikugoro, holding a puppet representing another actor, Sanogawa Ichimatsu. Consider the layered meanings inherent in this image – control, representation, the blurring of reality and performance that defines the world of theater. Who controls who, on stage and off? Editor: That’s a really interesting point! Is the puppet a reflection of a hierarchical structure within the theater world, or perhaps a comment on the actor's fame turning them into something less than human? Curator: Perhaps both. Ukiyo-e prints, like this one, often explored the fleeting pleasures of the entertainment world. These portraits elevated actors to celebrity status. Look at the delicate lines used to depict their garments. The patterns, too, carry meaning – references to wealth, status, even character traits. Editor: So the symbolism goes beyond just the figures themselves, it is deeply embedded into every visual element, every color choice... Curator: Precisely. The artist uses these visual cues to communicate complex ideas about identity, performance, and the very nature of representation. In the Edo period, Kabuki theatre was culturally significant, and a topic of common discourse in the cities. So how does this influence your own understanding of celebrity culture today? Editor: I guess, seeing how much symbolism and thought went into representing fame then gives me pause. Social media fame today is very different in essence... much less intentional in a way. I never would have picked up on any of this without you pointing it out, thank you! Curator: And I learned something by revisiting this lovely woodblock print. A great example of a complex story simply and cleverly told.