Dimensions: 12 5/16 × 5 13/16 in. (31.2 × 14.7 cm) (image, hosoban)
Copyright: Public Domain
Katsukawa Shunsho created this woodblock print, Yamashita Kinsaku II as the Lady Asaka, sometime in the late 18th century. This print is an example of *ukiyo-e*, or "pictures of the floating world," a genre that captured the transient pleasures of Edo-period Japan. The actor Yamashita Kinsaku II is depicted in the role of Lady Asaka, likely from a Kabuki play. During this time, male actors, known as *onnagata*, specialized in playing female roles. Katsukawa elevates this tradition by capturing the actor in a moment of vulnerability, shielding himself from the rain. Gender identity and performance are central to this image. By portraying a male actor in a female role, Katsukawa challenges rigid gender norms, offering a glimpse into the fluidity of identity. The artist seems to ask: What does it mean to embody a character, and how does that transformation reflect societal expectations? The falling rain adds a layer of emotional intensity. The print, in its quiet way, invites us to consider the complexities of representation and the stories we tell about ourselves and each other.