Yamashita Kinsaku II as the Lady Asaka 1772

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.