The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Omi no Okane in the play "Kongen Okuni Kabuki" performed at the Nakamura Theater in the seventh month, 1754 1754

Torii Kiyohiro created this woodblock print in 1754, depicting the actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Omi no Okane in the play "Kongen Okuni Kabuki.” In the Edo period, Kabuki theater was a vibrant space for cultural expression, often reflecting the lives and desires of the urban population. Woodblock prints like this one played a crucial role in popularizing Kabuki stars and performances. This print captures the likeness of Nakamura Tomijuro I, immortalizing his performance as Omi no Okane. It is important to consider the gender dynamics at play in Kabuki. Male actors, like Nakamura Tomijuro I, played both male and female roles. This practice, known as onnagata, led to a complex negotiation of gender and representation on stage, challenging and reinforcing societal norms simultaneously. Notice how Kiyohiro captures the actor's poise and grace, emphasizing the artifice and skill involved in portraying a female character. Consider how the world of Kabuki, with its blurring of gender lines and celebration of artifice, offered an alternative space for identity formation and expression.