Actor Nakamura TOMISABURO AS A WOMAN 

Curator: This print, currently at the Harvard Art Museums, depicts the actor Nakamura Tomisaburo as a woman. It’s by Katsukawa Shun'ei. Editor: It's delicate. I’m drawn to the linear quality—all those vertical lines balanced against the curve of the obi. Curator: Shun'ei was a prominent Ukiyo-e artist, known for his portraits of Kabuki actors. These prints weren't just art; they were popular media. Editor: Interesting that it captures a male actor in a female role. It really highlights the constructed nature of identity, doesn't it? The colors are muted, yet harmonious. Curator: Exactly. Kabuki was a major cultural force, often reflecting and shaping social values around gender, class, and performance. Editor: The tension between the flat picture plane and the illusion of depth is fascinating. It's both decorative and expressive. I like how the lattice work sets off the actor’s face. Curator: Indeed. Shun'ei captures a specific moment in the cultural milieu of Edo-period Japan. It provides a window into the representation of gender in the theatre. Editor: It's striking how much this print reveals about both performance and the artist's skill.