Portrait of Rikyû 1875

Curator: This is Shibata Zeshin's "Portrait of Rikyū," created around 1875 using ink. What stands out to you? Editor: A contemplative stillness. He seems almost to emanate an aura of inner peace, despite the minimal use of color, I feel the strength and solemnity of the man depicted. Curator: It is an intriguing portrayal. Rikyu, or rather, likely a depiction of a figure *in the style of* Rikyu, carries heavy symbolic weight. As a tea master, he signifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic—simplicity, imperfection, and transience. It's as if the artist tries to show not Rikyu himself but rather Rikyu as a signifier of something greater, through the semiotics of clothing and posture. Editor: Absolutely, the very act of choosing this subject places it within a context of deep cultural reverence, regardless of the artist's intentions. Even the sparseness of the drawing underscores that very principle of wabi-sabi and how ukiyo-e style has influenced portraiture. The unadorned background pushes the focus entirely on Rikyū as a subject— and the essence of tea culture, with the carrying bag serving as another key element in the staging, adding both depth and information to the portrait. I am, however, left to wonder how this portrait of an almost deified cultural figure has been influenced by the cultural and socio-economic background Zeshin found himself in at the time. Curator: Exactly. Rikyū is presented not just as an individual but as an idealized representation of artistic sensibility in a changing world. In Japan, during that time, traditional arts were facing pressures from Western influences, and a portrait like this reaffirms cultural identity. We read this portrait now, after centuries of layers of history, tradition and cultural development of these concepts! Editor: I'd argue that seeing this piece allows us to reflect on how tradition itself becomes a powerful cultural artifact. Zeshin reminds his audience of Rikyū but also emphasizes the continuous evolution of these powerful symbols. I think for the contemporary audience it becomes an active tool, rather than an artifact on display. Curator: Precisely. It encourages one to seek those traces within one's own culture, too. Editor: Absolutely, allowing us to think about how historical figures shape not only history but our present.