Actor Ichikawa Ebizō V in an unidentified role 1847 - 1848

This woodblock print from the Edo period by Utagawa Kunisada now resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Dominating the composition is the face of Actor Ichikawa Ebizō V, set against a solid teal background, rendered with sharp, angular lines to express heightened emotion. Kunisada masterfully employs bold colors and intricate patterns, notably in the actor's costume, to create a visually arresting image. The detailed ornamentation, juxtaposed against the flat planes of color, offers a semiotic dance between surface and depth. This interplay reflects the dual nature of the actor's persona, both a figure of spectacle and a conveyor of deeper narrative meanings. The careful arrangement of text, framing the image, suggests a structural layering, inviting us to consider the relationship between representation and context. This print challenges fixed meanings, instead inviting ongoing interpretation within the cultural discourse of Edo-era theater and representation.