Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as Benkei, in the Fudō Myōō Pose (Fudō no mie), with poems by Bunshirō Koimasu and Bunsaisha Fudemaru c. 1824 - 1829

Editor: This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Benkei, in the Fudo Myoo pose. It's quite striking, almost theatrical. What’s your interpretation of this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating how Kunisada uses actor prints to engage with broader societal forces. Kabuki theater, like this image, became a space to negotiate social anxieties and desires, particularly under strict censorship. This bold pose, Fudo no mie, presents a moment of defiant power. What do you think the poems add to this public declaration? Editor: I hadn't considered the poems as a form of public declaration. So, the print isn't just about the actor, but about expressing something more significant under societal constraints? Curator: Exactly. By understanding the historical context, we can see how art becomes a form of cultural commentary and even resistance. Editor: That's a powerful way to look at it. It reframes my understanding completely.