The Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojo in the Role of a Courtesan Reading a Letter 1745 - 1749

Ishikawa Toyonobu's woodblock print shows the Kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo, a man, in the role of a courtesan, a woman, reading a letter. The print comes from a time when Kabuki theater was flourishing in Japan, but women were banned from performing. In this context, the blurring of gender lines through male actors playing female roles offers a complex commentary on gender, performance, and identity. Kabuki allowed for the exploration of societal roles, expectations, and stereotypes. It created a space where gender could be fluid, and where audiences could engage with performances that both reinforced and challenged traditional norms. Segawa Kikunojo was particularly celebrated for his onnagata roles, where he specialized in playing women. His performances captivated audiences with their beauty, grace, and emotional depth. This print allows us to reflect on the power of performance to question and redefine identity, and on the emotional resonance of seeing oneself represented, even through layers of artifice.