Portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro II as Kamakura no Gongorô 1736

Curator: Furuyama Moromasa's woodblock print, dating from 1736, presents Ichikawa Danjuro II in the role of Kamakura no Gongoro. What strikes you first about this imposing figure? Editor: It's the face, isn’t it? That extraordinary, exaggerated makeup. It’s so arresting, like a mask pulled from a nightmare, and completely transforms his identity. And then that vibrant earthy red dominating the whole composition, balanced by the almost aggressive geometric patterns on his robe. Curator: Precisely. The makeup is called Kumadori, which signifies the character's emotional state through exaggerated lines and colors, and is really essential to understanding the actor. Notice how those dramatic red lines convey heroic strength and a powerful sense of justice. Editor: Right. And understanding the historical context, Ukiyo-e prints like this one emerged during the Edo period as popular art. Beyond decoration, they also functioned as celebrity endorsements, didn’t they? Promoting actors and theatrical productions… kind of like early modern publicity shots. Curator: In a way, absolutely. This print acts as both documentation of a particular performance and as a promotional image. Ukiyo-e was also more accessible and challenged traditional painting in its use of everyday life. I find myself staring at the two blades–do they indicate the duplicity of the character or perhaps that there are two opposing characteristics within? Editor: Well, Gongoro was known as a symbol of bravery and righteous anger. Placing his image in this context offers insights into class hierarchies of 18th-century Japan where theater became a powerful medium for challenging societal norms. The artist definitely plays up the drama and rebellion through the strong diagonal lines and contrast. Curator: It is such a clever combination. Even centuries later, Moromasa evokes strong feelings. Editor: Agreed, the ability to translate complex social commentaries into something so visually arresting? Masterful!