Man Fitting Arrow to Bow c. mid 18th century

Curator: This is Torii Kiyomitsu's "Man Fitting Arrow to Bow," a Japanese woodblock print from around the 1760s. Editor: The textures jump out at me. The paper's aged surface, the deliberate patterns on the robes... Curator: The prints were cheap and plentiful, reflecting the rising merchant class's interests and tastes. Kabuki actors, like this archer, were popular subjects. Editor: What about the woodblock process itself? It seems so precise and deliberate. Curator: Absolutely, the woodblock's lines and the archer’s pose create a sense of anticipation, almost like the tension before a big performance. Editor: Seeing the layering of the printmaking process, the registration of colours feels incredibly tactile. Curator: Yes! The symbolic weight of the warrior culture and the ephemeral nature of performance, all captured on a humble piece of paper. Editor: Looking at it materially, seeing the effects of time on the paper, I am amazed by the skill and labour involved. Curator: The image speaks of focus, discipline, and the lasting power of capturing a fleeting moment.