Triptych: Three Kabuki Actors c. 1855 - 1860

Curator: Before us is Utagawa Kunisada's woodblock print triptych, "Three Kabuki Actors," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is the work's dramatic intensity—the actors' stylized expressions, the bold patterns, and the unsettling presence of the wolf-headed figure. Curator: Indeed, Kunisada masterfully utilizes the triptych format to explore a narrative, the composition encouraging us to read across the three panels, noting the intricate repetition and variation of line and form. Editor: That central figure is fascinating! The wolf head suggests a transformation, perhaps a commentary on the blurring of human and animal traits within Kabuki theater. Or does it reference specific folklore? Curator: Precisely. The symbolism resonates deeply within Japanese cultural narratives, possibly referencing shapeshifting folklore, enhancing the drama staged by the actors. Editor: The dimensions—36.2 by 76 centimeters—belie the work’s impact. It feels grander, doesn’t it, in its emotional scope? I leave with a sense of Japanese stagecraft and performance. Curator: Agreed. Kunisada’s triptych delivers both visual sophistication and a window into the performative arts of its time, the arrangement guiding your eyes!