The Third Segawa Kikunojo in His Dressing Room 1785

Katsukawa Shunko's woodblock print captures the actor Segawa Kikunojo III in his dressing room, offering us a glimpse into the world of 18th-century Kabuki theater. Kabuki was more than entertainment; it was a cultural phenomenon deeply intertwined with the social fabric of Japan, and onnagata actors like Kikunojo, who specialized in female roles, held a unique position in society. Here, Kikunojo applies makeup, assisted by a male attendant. We are invited into an intimate moment of transformation. The print blurs the lines of gender, inviting us to reflect on performance, identity, and the construction of the feminine. Consider the emotional complexities of embodying another gender on stage, the performative nature of identity, and the artist's gaze. Shunko’s print invites us to consider the fluidity of identity, and the emotional and cultural negotiations inherent in performance.