The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as Ishi no Mae in the play "Hoshi Aikotoba Higashiyama no Sakae," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the ninth month, 1763 1763

Torii Kiyomitsu's woodblock print captures Segawa Kikunojo II, a celebrated onnagata actor, in the 1763 play "Hoshi Aikotoba Higashiyama no Sakae." Onnagata were male actors who specialized in playing female roles in kabuki theater. During the Edo period, kabuki became a vibrant part of urban culture, though women were banned from performing. The onnagata emerged as highly respected figures, embodying idealized femininity through meticulous performance and costuming. Segawa Kikunojo II was particularly known for his refined, elegant portrayals of women. This print showcases not just a performer, but a complex negotiation of gender, representation, and societal expectations. The actor's identity is intentionally layered, inviting us to consider the constructed nature of gender and the power of performance. It reflects the emotional intensity and transformative potential inherent in kabuki.