Actor Segawa Kikunojō in a Shirabyōshi Role c. 1770 - 1790

Katsukawa Shunkō created this woodblock print, "Actor Segawa Kikunojō in a Shirabyōshi Role" sometime in the late 18th century. The composition, dominated by vertical lines, presents a figure in elaborate costume, yet there's a subtle tension in the tilt of the head and the soft, muted color palette. Shunkō uses line and form to explore the themes of identity and representation. The actor, Segawa Kikunojō, known for his onnagata roles, embodies a female character. Here, we see a play with semiotics: the costume, makeup, and posture are all signs pointing to "woman," yet the viewer is aware of the male actor beneath. The print destabilizes fixed categories of gender, inviting us to consider how identity is constructed through performance and visual cues. The artist challenges the viewer to question established meanings, and embrace the fluid nature of representation.