Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th in the Role of a Villain c. 1834 - 1839

Editor: This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as a villain, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The character's stern expression and weaponry give him a fearsome aura. How does this portrayal relate to the social role of theater in 19th-century Japan? Curator: This print offers insight into the complex relationship between theater, societal values, and censorship. The depiction of villains in Kabuki often served as a vehicle to explore anxieties about power and morality. Does the inscription surrounding the figure offer any clues to its reception? Editor: It might allude to the play or a specific scene! It seems art had a very important role for the society. I will delve more into this. Curator: Indeed. Consider how the performance and its visual representation were consumed and interpreted by different audiences within that society. The print served as a document, as well as a commentary!