The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III in an Unidentified Role c. 1781

Editor: Here we have Katsukawa Shunko's woodblock print from around 1781, "The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III in an Unidentified Role." The expression on his face and the way he clutches that sword, there's a definite tension. What stands out to you? Curator: As a materialist, I immediately focus on the process. Look at the distinct key lines in the print: the carving of the woodblock dictates the limitations and the beauty of the image. Each colour would have required a separate block, a highly skilled and labour-intensive craft, think of the labour it embodies, each precise movement reflecting social hierarchies and consumption patterns of that time. Do you see how the flat planes emphasize form over illusion? Editor: Yes, it’s less about replicating reality and more about stylization. Is that intentional? Curator: Absolutely. Ukiyo-e prints were not 'high art'; they were mass-produced for a burgeoning urban audience. We need to think about the hands that created these, who distributed them, who purchased and consumed them. They provide insight into popular culture and economics, making us question the art-craft division. Note the actor’s robe: think about who created it? Whose labour ensured it’s unique quality. Editor: That’s fascinating, the material context influencing its value and how we understand the print. Curator: Precisely! Seeing it simply as an image, we neglect the vibrant cultural forces at play in its making and dissemination. Now, thinking about the cost of production versus consumption informs new questions, don’t you agree? Editor: I do! Considering the material realities completely shifts my perspective. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Remembering that the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of production enriches our appreciation beyond the purely aesthetic is key!