The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Monk Shunkan in the Play Hime Komatsu Ne no Hi Asobi (Outing to Pick Pine Seedlings on the Rat-Day of the New Year), Performed as the Last Act of Part Two at the Ichimura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1778 c. 1778

Editor: This woodblock print, circa 1778, by Katsukawa Shunko, portrays the actor Nakamura Nakazo I. The colors are subtle, but the detail in the robes is incredible. It really conveys a sense of theatrical drama. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The beauty, as you point out, lies in the print’s production, particularly the labor invested. Consider the carving of the woodblocks, one for each color, a process demanding meticulous skill. Think of the social implications, too: the economics of woodblock prints made art accessible, expanding consumption beyond elite circles, reflecting the vibrant urban culture of Edo-period Japan. How does the material reality influence our interpretation of the performance itself? Editor: That’s a good question. The detail does give it a sense of high value, although it was intended to be accessible. The actor is clearly the focus. What’s the significance of depicting him in this way? Curator: Precisely! Notice the actor's distinctive costume and props. These details situate the artwork within a particular performance and location – The Ichimura Theater. The artist, the printers, the actors and theatre staff; all part of a collaborative system reliant on material resources and audiences. The value resided not only in aesthetic representation, but the labour and skill embedded in production. Editor: So, by examining the process and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the art's cultural value? Curator: Absolutely. By appreciating the production process, we can avoid only associating artistic achievement only with a sole genius, while revealing intricate interdependencies. Now that you mention cultural value; what aspects of it catch your attention now? Editor: I see now how looking at the labor and distribution of this print can offer new insight! Curator: It decenters the aura around the artist, highlighting the network that enabled its creation. I appreciate noticing more about that, as well.