The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a courtesan (right) and Sawamura Sojuro III as Oyamada Taro (?) disguised as Tarosaku of Oyamada Village (left) in the play "Azuma no Mori Sakae Kusunoki," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1779 c. 1779

Editor: Here we have Katsukawa Shunko's woodblock print from around 1779, titled "The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a courtesan... and Sawamura Sojuro III as Oyamada Taro..." I’m struck by how delicate yet formal the figures appear. What stands out to you? Curator: Immediately, the symbolism within the figures' clothing calls to me. Notice the patterns; the repetition of geometric shapes, the flora… They aren't mere decoration, but coded visual cues meant to immediately connect the audience to character traits or even plot points. Consider, too, that these are actors, embodying roles within a play. How does that layer of performance shape our understanding of the print’s meaning? Editor: So, the clothes aren't just clothes; they're like costumes with their own language. Is that why the artist focused so much on details like the folds and patterns? Curator: Precisely. Each carefully rendered detail contributes to a cultural memory. For instance, the courtesan’s elaborate headdress – can you see how it contrasts with the disguised figure’s simple head covering? It signals social status and theatrical artifice in opposition to the other figure’s hidden identity. Beyond their social standing, how might their interior, emotional worlds be suggested? Editor: That makes so much sense. It’s like the artist is giving us hints, but we need to know the cultural context to really understand them. I didn't realise so much information could be conveyed in something seemingly decorative. Curator: Absolutely. This piece isn't just a portrait of actors; it's a record of a performance, a meditation on identity, and a snapshot of cultural values all interwoven within the image. It reminds us that visual culture operates within intricate symbolic registers. Editor: I see how decoding these symbols is like unlocking the past! Curator: Indeed! And reflecting upon our contemporary perspective on the play, actors and meanings is another layer of insight to appreciate about artmaking.