Onnagata Collection

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

Onoe Baiko and Seki Sanjuro, 1884. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
Onoe Baiko and Seki Sanjuro, 1884

The Actor Nakamura Shikan IV, 1884. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
The Actor Nakamura Shikan IV, 1884

The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro and Nakamura Fukusuke in the Roles of Kato Kiyomasa... 19th century
The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro and Nakamura Fukusuke in the Roles of Kato Kiyomasa and Hinagoromo, 19th century

The Osaka Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III and Nakamura Shikan IV, c1870. Creator: Utagawa Yoshiiku
The Osaka Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III and Nakamura Shikan IV, c1870

Bando Shuka as Hashimotoya Shiraito, 1852. Creator: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Bando Shuka as Hashimotoya Shiraito, 1852. Kabuki actor in the role of courtesan of the Hashimotoya Restaurant, holding up a gold coin (s)he has just taken from a paper wrapper

Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Ishikawa Goemon, Onoe Kikugoro II as the wife Oritsu... between 1848 & 1852
Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Ishikawa Goemon, Onoe Kikugoro II as the wife Oritsu, Arashi Rikan III as Haginoya Yaegiri and Nakamura Utaemon IV as Takagi Oriemon from the series Comparison of flowers

The Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in a Female Role, between circa 1863 and circa 1868. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
The Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in a Female Role, between circa 1863 and circa 1868

Scene froma Kabuki play, Mid-late 1780s. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Scene froma Kabuki play, Mid-late 1780s. Actors Sawamura Sojuro III as Nuregami Chogoro, Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Hanaregoma Chokichi, Segawa Kikunojo III as Azuma

Segawa Kikunojo III in a Female Role, between circa 1790 and circa 1795. Creator: Katsukawa Shun'ei
Segawa Kikunojo III in a Female Role, between circa 1790 and circa 1795

Actor in the Role of Asada Itcho, between circa 1843 and circa 1855. Creator: Utagawa Kuniteru
Actor in the Role of Asada Itcho, between circa 1843 and circa 1855. Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Tsukushi Gonroku, Bando Shuka as Yakko no Koman

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the Play Kuruwa no Hana Katsuragi no Kane, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the third Month, 1775, Japan, c

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Danc... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Dance Sequence "Sono Utsushi-e Matsu ni Kaede" (A Shadow-Picture of Pine and Maple)

The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho Konegen Butai (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?)... c1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the First Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahe... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahei (right), and Iwai Hanshiro IV as Umegae Disguised as the Poem-Diviner Omatsu (left)

The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahe... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahei (right), and Iwai Hanshiro IV as Umegae Disguised as the Poem-Diviner Omatsu (left)

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya-bashira Iwao no Butai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Seventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed... c. 1789. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Monther, 1789, Japan, c. 1789

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed... c. 1789. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Monther, 1789, Japan, c. 1789

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Fifth Month, 1771 (?), Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Fifth Month, 1771 (?), Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Hatsu-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Hatsu-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Agemaki in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Agemaki in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1771, Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no Kaomise (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1776 (?), Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no Kaomise (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1776 (?), Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume... c. 1784. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume Choja (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1784 (?), Japan, c. 1784

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume... c. 1784. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume Choja (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1784 (?), Japan, c. 1784

The Actor Segawa Kitsuji III as Murasame in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho, Performed... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kitsuji III as Murasame in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-gassen Onna Maizuru, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

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"Unveiling the Artistry of Onnagata: A Glimpse into the World of Kabuki Theatre" Step back in time to witness the mesmerizing performances of onnagata, male actors who specialized in portraying female roles in traditional Japanese kabuki theatre. This captivating art form comes alive through vibrant woodcut prints from the early 19th century. In one print, we see a group of talented actors gracefully dancing on stage, embodying the essence of four distinct onnagatas. Their elegant movements and exquisite costumes transport us to a world where gender boundaries blur and storytelling takes center stage. Ichikawa Danjuro VII captivates as Konoshita Tokichi, while Nakamura Daikichi embodies his wife with remarkable poise. Iwai Han enchants audiences with her portrayal, leaving them spellbound by her grace and beauty. Another print introduces us to Onoe Matsusuke I as the ghostly wet-nurse Iohata and Matsumoto Kojiro as they bring haunting emotions to life. Utagawa Toyokuni I's masterful artwork captures their ethereal presence, evoking both fear and fascination. Yamatoya Iwai Hanshiro IV shines brightly as Kikusui in "Matsuwa Misao Onna Kusunoki, " showcasing not only his acting prowess but also his ability to captivate hearts with every movement. The play unfolds before our eyes through Utagawa Toyokuni I's intricate details that breathe life into this historical moment. A whimsical scene reveals six actors dreaming about their upcoming roles for spring plays in 1804. Utagawa Toyokuni I's vivid imagination transports us into their mindscape filled with anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead. Hamamuraya presents Segawa Kikunojo III as Shirabyoshi Hisakata—a courtesan whose allure is captured effortlessly by the artist's brushstrokes.