Segawa Kikunojō II as a Woman Standing 1757

Torii Kiyohiro's woodblock print presents the actor Segawa Kikunojo II in a female role, embodying the artifice and fluidity of gender in 18th-century Japan. The Kabuki theater, where Kikunojo was a star, flourished amidst the rising merchant class of the Edo period. This art form, initially controversial, gained acceptance within the Tokugawa shogunate's rigid social hierarchy. Actors, however, existed outside this structure, their popularity challenging established norms. Prints like this one served as publicity, and fueled the cult of celebrity. Kiyohiro's image captures not just the actor's likeness but also the cultural fascination with gender roles and performance. The delicate lines and vibrant colors are not merely decorative; they are visual codes that reflect a society grappling with shifting identities and the blurring of boundaries between art and life. Understanding this print demands delving into the archives of Kabuki theater, exploring Edo-period social structures, and scrutinizing the complex relationship between art, commerce, and identity.