Matsusuke as Goroji 1920

Yamamura Toyonari made "Matsusuke as Goroji" using woodblock printing. I can almost feel the artist considering the actor's face, how it might feel to be him. He looks down to read, and there's this subtle flush on his cheek as though he's embarrassed. His bottom lip hangs open and he's worried. Woodblock printing demands careful carving, layering, decisions, all leading to a final image that's so much about the artist's hand, his eye, his intention. The colors, they're like whispers—gentle pinks and yellows, calm blues and grays, all working together to create a mood that’s both intimate and a little melancholic. When I look at this print, I’m reminded of other printmakers like Utamaro or Hokusai, who also captured these kinds of fleeting, human moments. There's a conversation happening across time, artists building on each other’s visions and techniques.