Sanjo Kantaro, from "A Triptych of Young Kabuki Actors: Edo, Right (Iroko sanpukutsui: Edo, migi)" c. 1723

Curator: Okumura Masanobu’s woodblock print, titled “Sanjo Kantaro, from A Triptych of Young Kabuki Actors: Edo, Right”, made around 1723, showcases a stylish male Kabuki actor rendered in the Ukiyo-e tradition, and held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: There's an understated elegance, I think, even amidst the extravagance of the robes. The overall composition suggests a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere, contrasting the vibrant potential of stage performance. Curator: Yes, Masanobu balances intricate surface patterns with the placid figure of Sanjo Kantaro. Observe how the artist uses contrasting areas of flat, unmodulated color, primarily in the garments, juxtaposed with areas filled with repeating geometric patterns and natural motifs. Editor: Those roundels are quite captivating, aren’t they? Fish, chrysanthemums, and clouds - contained, stylized nature, carefully placed to activate and enliven what would otherwise be large dark planes. It almost feels like a stage design itself—layers of symbolism stacked upon one another. I also sense Masanobu consciously explores a range of mark-making. Curator: Absolutely, formal complexity belies his innovative skills. This work presents both technical virtuosity and insightful social commentary characteristic of early Edo period Ukiyo-e prints that depict not only the actor's persona but also prevailing social values of fashion, entertainment, and class. The subtle rendering of the actor's skin tone also brings depth to this particular Kabuki subject. Editor: It certainly provides a quiet yet vibrant moment of aesthetic pleasure - while simultaneously sparking interest into 18th-century Kabuki performance practice, and, further still, the broader sociopolitical landscape that helped it flourish. Masanobu encapsulates so much here in one dynamic vertical print. Curator: Indeed. His thoughtful design invites endless curiosity, providing entryways into Japan’s cultural past. Editor: A remarkable piece offering profound creative ingenuity from over three centuries ago.