Actor OTONE HIROJI AS WATANABE MIMBU 

Curator: This woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa captures the actor Otone Hiroji in the role of Watanabe Mimbu. It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I’m struck by the pose – he seems to be looking upwards, perhaps anticipating something. It creates a palpable sense of tension. Curator: The upward gaze is intriguing. His kimono, adorned with those striking circular symbols, may relate to family crests associated with the play. Editor: Do you think that the symbol could connect to ideas about identity, performance, and the way actors embody cultural narratives? Curator: Precisely! The actor isn’t just portraying a character; he’s channeling layers of cultural memory. Editor: It leaves me reflecting on how performance can both preserve and challenge the status quo. Curator: Yes, it's a powerful glimpse into the symbolic world of Japanese theater and identity. Editor: Indeed. The image is a real invitation to consider how symbols help to shape social roles.