Actors as Modern Versions of the Five Women (Tōsei gonin onna) Possibly 1858

Editor: This is Utagawa Kunisada’s “Actors as Modern Versions of the Five Women,” and it seems to depict a figure with a sword, set against a lively waterscape. What strikes you about this woodblock print? Curator: Well, considering Kunisada’s active role in shaping public perception of actors and theatre, I see this as more than just a portrait. Editor: How so? Curator: The "Five Women" were popular figures, so casting actors in those roles, Kunisada is engaging in a dialogue about celebrity, gender roles, and the commodification of imagery within the Edo period's entertainment industry. It's political, in a way. Editor: That’s fascinating; I hadn't considered the political dimensions. Thanks for that perspective. Curator: My pleasure. It is helpful to remember that art is always in conversation with the society around it.