Acteur Matsumoto Koshiro III in de vrouwenrol Asagao 1768

Ippitsusai Bunchō created this woodblock print portraying actor Matsumoto Koshiro III as the female character Asagao. Note the juxtaposition of traditionally feminine garb with the masculine sword held firmly in hand. The motif of cross-dressing on stage carries a rich history, echoing the ancient Greek theater, where male actors also portrayed female roles, reflecting a complex interplay of gender, identity, and performance. This character, Asagao, embodies a duality, a tension between appearance and reality. Consider how the gaze, directed upwards, conveys a sense of longing or defiance. Similar depictions of upward gazes can be found in Renaissance art, often symbolizing spiritual aspiration or divine connection. Here, the gaze may reflect Asagao's internal conflict or her yearning for something beyond her grasp. The emotional intensity captured in this single gesture is a powerful force, resonating across cultures and epochs. Thus, we see how symbols and gestures evolve, their meanings layered and transformed by the ever-turning wheels of time.