Actor Iwai Kumesaburô I as Tomoe Gozen Possibly 1797 - 1799

Curator: This woodblock print, made by Utagawa Kunimasa, features actor Iwai KumesaburÅ I as Tomoe Gozen, a female samurai warrior. Editor: There's a compelling flatness and decorative quality. I'm immediately drawn to the patterns and textures in the warrior's armor. Curator: The process of creating these prints involved a collaboration between the artist, the woodblock carver, and the printer. This allowed for a mass distribution and consumption of theatrical imagery. Editor: Precisely. These images popularized actors and theatrical productions, functioning almost as publicity. The print culture shaped perceptions of gender and performance during that era. Curator: These prints highlight how Kabuki theater served as a prominent cultural institution that influenced visual representation. Editor: It is fascinating how this print exemplifies the social role of art, demonstrating how it shaped public imagery and cultural values. A true reflection of its time.