Hamamuraya: Segawa Kikunojo III as Shirabyoshi Hisakata, from the series "Portraits of Actors on Stage (Yakusha butai no sugata-e)" 1794

Utagawa Toyokuni I made this woodblock print depicting actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Shirabyoshi Hisakata. It is part of the series "Portraits of Actors on Stage," but without a definitive date, it’s hard to place it within the Edo period. Prints like this were affordable and popular souvenirs from Kabuki theatre. As the merchant class grew, Kabuki became a significant form of entertainment, challenging strict social hierarchies. Here, Segawa Kikunojo III, an "onnagata" or male actor specializing in female roles, is portrayed as Shirabyoshi Hisakata. In that era, both male and female roles were played by men only. The Shirabyoshi dancers, known for performing in male attire, further blurred gender lines, thus challenging traditional social norms. Understanding this print involves knowing the codes of Kabuki, the changing status of the merchant class, and the complex gender roles of Edo society. Luckily, scholars have access to playbills, diaries, and government records to help us understand the social and institutional context that shaped this intriguing artwork.