The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as Yamabuki, the sister of Hata Rokurozaemon, in the play "Shikai Nami Yawaragi Taiheiki," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1763 1763

Suzuki Harunobu created this woodblock print in 1763, depicting the actor Segawa Kikunojo II in the role of Yamabuki. Kabuki theater in 18th-century Japan was a space where gender roles were both performed and complicated. Female roles were played by male actors known as onnagata, who were celebrated for their ability to embody idealized femininity. Here, Segawa Kikunojo II takes on the persona of Yamabuki, a woman whose identity is entwined with familial duty. The delicate lines and soft colors of the print emphasize the beauty and grace of the actor, while the elaborate kimono and fan hint at the character's social status. The onnagata tradition raises questions about the performance of gender and the male gaze. These actors were not simply imitating women, but rather constructing an image of womanhood that was both alluring and unattainable. This print invites us to consider the complex relationship between identity, performance, and representation in a society where gender roles were strictly defined, yet constantly challenged on the stage.