Actors as Modern Versions of the Five Women (Tōsei gonin onna) Possibly 1858

Curator: Utagawa Kunisada, who lived from 1786 to 1865, is credited with this compelling artwork, "Actors as Modern Versions of the Five Women," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Striking. The composition feels surprisingly modern; that blocky kimono pattern clashes so wonderfully with the idyllic waterway in the background. Curator: Indeed. Kunisada masterfully contrasts the soft, pastel water with the actor's strong presence. I wonder what he was trying to say about traditional gender roles. Editor: Maybe it's the swords, but it gives me a sense of women on the cusp, both held back by tradition and stepping out on their own terms into the water towards an unknown future. Curator: It’s a fascinating print that blends historical drama with contemporary flair, leaving us to ponder the ever-shifting roles we play. Editor: It's a thought-provoking image. The actors and Kunisada remind us that tradition and modernity are never truly separate.