Segawa Kikunojō in a Woman Role Posing as Narihira c. 1765

Editor: We're looking at "Segawa Kikunojo in a Woman Role Posing as Narihira," a woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa, made around 1765. I'm struck by the delicate colours, and the contrast between the patterned robe and the simple, almost whimsical depiction of Mount Fuji in the background. What story do you think this image tells? Curator: It’s a fascinating intersection of theatre, gender, and celebrity in Edo-period Japan. Ukiyo-e prints like these were popular souvenirs, essentially fan art, capturing famous kabuki actors. What makes this particular print so interesting is the blurring of boundaries. Editor: How so? Curator: Segawa Kikunojo was a celebrated *onnagata*, a male actor specializing in female roles. Here he’s not just in costume, but explicitly posing as Ariwara no Narihira, a Heian-era courtier renowned for his beauty and romantic poetry. Editor: So, it's a man playing a woman playing a man. What was the public perception of these gender representations in the 18th century? Curator: It was complex. *Onnagata* were both admired and objectified, their femininity seen as a performance, a hyper-femininity almost. These prints allowed the public to consume these images and fantasies, further solidifying the actor's fame, but also reinforcing existing social hierarchies regarding gender and class. Notice the artist's signature as well - even printmakers achieved celebrity. Editor: It's amazing how much this image communicates about social dynamics through a portrait of a celebrity. Curator: Precisely. The image speaks to how the fame machine was operating back then. How powerful actors were, and how their images had the power to also cross dress socio-political ideologies. Editor: I never considered how a seemingly simple portrait could be such a powerful record of cultural values. Thank you!