De acteur Onoe Tamizo I in vrouwenrol 1770 - 1772

Ippitsusai Bunchō created this woodblock print of the actor Onoe Tamizo I in a female role, sometime in the late 18th century. During the Edo period in Japan, Kabuki theater was a vibrant, yet highly regulated, space where gender and identity were often explored through performance. Because women were banned from performing, male actors known as "onnagata" specialized in playing female roles. Bunchō's print captures the artifice of gender, showing a male actor embodying femininity. The print complicates simplistic notions of gender identity by showcasing its performative nature. The flowing robes, delicate makeup, and refined gestures all contribute to the construction of a female persona, highlighting how gender can be both a costume and a craft. The beauty of the print lies in its ability to reveal the layers of performance and identity, inviting us to reflect on the fluidity and constructed nature of gender roles. This image remains poignant as it mirrors contemporary conversations around identity and representation.