The Actor Yoshizawa Ayame IV as Yadorigi, the Sister of Nikaido Shinanosuke, Disguised as Orie, the Wife of Aoto Magosaburo, in Part Two of the Play Motomishi Yuki Sakae Hachi no Ki (Looking up at Falling Snow: Thriving Potted Trees), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1778 c. 1778

Katsukawa Shunko created this woodblock print in 1778, depicting the actor Yoshizawa Ayame IV in a theatrical role. The piece invites us to consider the cultural significance of theater and the fluid nature of identity in 18th-century Japan. This print captures a moment from a Kabuki play, a popular form of entertainment. Kabuki performances often explored themes of love, duty, and social upheaval, reflecting the complex dynamics of the Edo period. Here, Yoshizawa Ayame IV, an onnagata actor who specialized in female roles, embodies a character who is herself in disguise. The layers of performed identity—a male actor playing a female character who is impersonating another woman—challenge traditional gender norms. The emotional intensity of the performance is palpable, as the actor conveys the inner turmoil and strength of the character through posture and expression. Shunko’s print captures not just an image, but a narrative rich with social commentary and personal drama.