Scene from the Drama "Kashiwa-ga-Tōge Kichirei sumō" 1747 - 1767

Editor: We are looking at "Scene from the Drama 'Kashiwa-ga-Toge Kichirei sumo'" a woodblock print created between 1747 and 1767 by Torii Kiyohiro. I’m struck by how the swirling patterns in the actor's kimono contrast with the rigid lines of the lanterns. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Structurally, I’m drawn to the vertical emphasis established by the figure and the lanterns he carries. Notice how the artist has played with contrasting shapes: the circular motifs of the robe against the rectilinear geometry of the objects. The print gains depth from this conscious manipulation, moving our eyes. What's your take on the relationship between figure and ground? Editor: It feels imbalanced – there's so much text crammed in the upper section, it makes the actor appear to be almost crushed. Curator: Observe the relationship between the written text and the actor: its placement contributes to an interesting tension. Kiyohiro does not attempt to create a seamless visual experience, but rather highlights a series of forms: lines of text in parallel to geometric forms, balanced by curvilinear shapes and the suggestion of depth by the actor's presence. Editor: So the composition, in a way, disrupts the sense of narrative I initially expected? Curator: Precisely! While there's clearly a narrative element suggested by the title and figure, the emphasis is equally, if not more so, on the visual dynamics, such as colour, the play between curvilinear forms, and shapes across the picture plane. It’s in these relationships where much of the interest lies, isn't it? Editor: Definitely! I never would have noticed how the text itself becomes a visual element if you hadn’t pointed that out. Curator: By recognizing these interactions we may find that an entirely new framework for appreciation presents itself.