The actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Osan, Ippei’s elder sister 1794

Tōshūsai Sharaku made this woodblock print of the actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II around 1794, during the Edo period in Japan. Sharaku emerged during a time of social change, when the merchant class was gaining prominence, and their tastes influenced art and theatre. Here, Tsuneyo II embodies Osan, a female character, and the performance intersects with themes of gender and identity. Kabuki theatre, although popular, was subject to strict censorship and sumptuary laws. These regulations often dictated the subjects that could be depicted and the lifestyles of the actors. Male actors were often cast to play female roles, this practice was known as Onnagata. Note the actor's poised yet somewhat strained expression, a tension that hints at the complexities of portraying a character so distant from one's own experiences. This print offers not just an image of a stage persona but also a glimpse into the cultural negotiations and artistic expressions of identity within the confines of 18th-century Japanese society.