An Actor in a Female Role in Black Kimono c. 1770 - 1790

Katsukawa Shun'ei created this woodblock print of an actor in a female role, sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. The image depicts a male actor dressed as a woman, a common practice in Japanese Kabuki theater due to restrictions on women performing. The actor's attire, particularly the elaborate kimono and hairstyle, signal wealth and status. The setting, suggested by the stylized waves in the background, evoke a specific scene or play that would have been easily recognized by contemporary audiences. Shun'ei was known for his portraits of Kabuki actors, and these prints served as both publicity for the actors and documentation of popular performances. The popularity of these prints reflects the vibrant urban culture of Edo-period Japan, where theater and art were closely intertwined with social life. To understand the full meaning of this work, one might consult playbills, theater reviews, and social histories of the period to understand both the artistic conventions and cultural values that shaped its creation and reception.