Actor Segawa Kikujirō AS A FEMALE SHITTEI Edo period,

Editor: This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō depicts Actor Segawa Kikujurō as a female shittei. There's a quiet stillness to it, despite the bold patterns. What stories do you think this image is trying to tell? Curator: It presents fascinating intersections of gender, performance, and societal expectations. The male actor portraying a female character raises questions about the fluidity of identity within Edo period theatre and the accepted transgression of those identities on stage. How does this relate to today's conversations around gender and representation? Editor: That’s interesting to think about. Thanks for helping me see how this work speaks to the present day. Curator: Absolutely! It’s about recognizing the historical echoes and their continued relevance.