Onnagata Collection (page 14)

Chuban of the Chushingura Drama, late 18th century. Creator: Shunsho
Chuban of the Chushingura Drama, late 18th century

Kabuki Actors Sawamura Sojuro III and Sanogawa Ichimatsu III in "A Courtesan’
Kabuki Actors Sawamura Sojuro III and Sanogawa Ichimatsu III in " A Courtesans Mirror for the Eastern Provinces" (Keisei Azuma kagami), 1788

The Actor Bando Mitsugoro as a Man in Sumptuous Raiment, Standing in a Field... ca. 1778. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Bando Mitsugoro as a Man in Sumptuous Raiment, Standing in a Field, Mount Fuji in the Background, ca. 1778

Ichikawa Danjuro Fifth as a Komuso Holding a Basket-Hat in His Right Hand, ca. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
Ichikawa Danjuro Fifth as a Komuso Holding a Basket-Hat in His Right Hand, ca. 1775

The Third Segawa Kikunojo as Ochiyo and Bando Mitsugoro as Hanbei, 5th month, 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Third Segawa Kikunojo as Ochiyo and Bando Mitsugoro as Hanbei, 5th month, 1781

The First Nakamura Tomijuro in the Role of Izaemon, 2nd month, 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The First Nakamura Tomijuro in the Role of Izaemon, 2nd month, 1771

Nakamura Noshio II in the Role of Imayo uta Bikuni, 1796 (Kansei 8)

The Fourth Iwai Hanshiro as a Woman, 1773 or 1774. Creator: Shunsho
The Fourth Iwai Hanshiro as a Woman, 1773 or 1774

The Actor Ichikawa Monosuke (?) or Ichikawa Omezo in Female Role, 1726-1792. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monosuke (?) or Ichikawa Omezo in Female Role, 1726-1792

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in the Role of a Woman, 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in the Role of a Woman, 1772

The Actor Sanjo Kantaro as an Itinerant Buddhist Nun, ca. 1715. Creator: Kondo Kiyoharu
The Actor Sanjo Kantaro as an Itinerant Buddhist Nun, ca. 1715. Attributed to Kondo Kiyoharu

Kabuki Actors Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Danjuro V, ca. 1780s. Creator: Shunsho
Kabuki Actors Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Danjuro V, ca. 1780s

The Fourth Iwai Hanshiro as a Woman Standing under a Torii, ca. 1791?

Ukiyo-e Print of an Actor in a Female Role by Kunisada, 1847 (colour woodblock print)
2630234 Ukiyo-e Print of an Actor in a Female Role by Kunisada, 1847 (colour woodblock print) by Kunisada, Utagawa (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865); Private Collection; (add.info)

Two kabuki actors in the roles of a courtesan on a water buffalo and a traveling priest, 1686-1764

Portrait of Sanjo Kantaro in the Female Role of Yaoya Oshichi in the Play "Fuji no
Portrait of Sanjo Kantaro in the Female Role of Yaoya Oshichi in the Play " Fuji no Takane" (" The High Peak of Mount Fuji" ), ca. 1730-40

Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Sadatos Wife Iwate, 1794-95. 1794-95
Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Sadatos Wife Iwate, 1794-95

Segawa Tomisaburo II as Yadorigi in the Play "Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga", 1794
Segawa Tomisaburo II as Yadorigi in the Play " Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga", 1794

Actor as a Woman Standing by a Mirror Stand, ca. 1735. Creator: Torii Kiyotada
Actor as a Woman Standing by a Mirror Stand, ca. 1735

Evening Glow on a Traveling Drama [Chinese watching a Kabuki play], 1st month, 1861

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as a Woman in Black Robe Holding a Straw Hat, 1798

Ichikawa Komazo II in the Role of Kameo with Iwai Kumesaburo in the Role of Kameos Wife, Oyasu, from the Play Shunkan futatsu omokage, 1798-99

Kabuki Actors: Bando Mitsugoro and Iwai Hanshiro, ca. 1800. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Kabuki Actors: Bando Mitsugoro and Iwai Hanshiro, ca. 1800

Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojo III in a Mad Female Role, 1798 (Kansei 9)

Scene from a Drama, ca. 1804. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Scene from a Drama, ca. 1804

Scene from a Drama, 1804. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Scene from a Drama, 1804

The Actor Matsumoto Yonesaburo in a Womans Role, late 1790s. Creator: Utagawa Kunimasa
The Actor Matsumoto Yonesaburo in a Womans Role, late 1790s

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Sakura Hime, the Cherry Princess, 1767

Actor as Woman with Hobby-horse in Unidentified Role. Creator: Torii Kiyonobu I
Actor as Woman with Hobby-horse in Unidentified Role

Scene from a Drama, ca. 1745. Creator: Torii Kiyonobu I
Scene from a Drama, ca. 1745

Scene from a Drama, ca. 1788. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Scene from a Drama, ca. 1788

Theatrical Scene, with Musicians. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Theatrical Scene, with Musicians. [Onoe Matsusuke I as an Oiran Stands at the Left, Talking to Nakamura Nakazo I as a Samurai, ca. 1788.]

Sanjo Kantaro as a Woman Arranging Her Hair Before a Lacquer Mirror, before 1763

The Actor Arashi Otohachi as a Young Samurai in Womans Clothes, ca. 1756

Sanogawa Ichimatsu in the Role of Otsuru, ca. 1754. Creator: Torii Kiyohiro
Sanogawa Ichimatsu in the Role of Otsuru, ca. 1754

The Actors Nakamura Tomijiro in the Role of Ono no Komachi and Sanogawa Ichimatsu in the Role of Her Servant, ca. 1756

Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugoro I, ca. 1750. Creator: Yamamoto Yoshinobu
Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugoro I, ca. 1750

Actor Tsu-uchi Monsaburo in a Womans Role in the Play " Three Instances of Good Fortune (Sanpuku Tsui)", ca. 1730

Actor Nakamura Kumetaro II as Minato, the Wife of Yura Hyogonosuke, 1794-95. 1794-95
Actor Nakamura Kumetaro II as Minato, the Wife of Yura Hyogonosuke, 1794-95

Actor Segawa Tomisaburo II as the Courtesan Toyama and Actor Ichikawa Kurizo as Higashiyama Yoshiwakamaru, 1794-95

Ichikawa Danjuro II as Kanto Koroku and Yamamura Ichitaro as Oichi, ca. 1721

Yamamoto Iwanojo, Son of Yamamoto Kyoshiro, as Shinoda Zuma in a Shosa Act, 1747

The Actor Ikushima Daikichi as an Oiran on Parade in the Streets of the Yoshiwara, ca. 1701-06

Scene from a Drama: Ichimura Uzaemon as a Samurai, ca. 1745. Creator: Torii Kiyonobu I
Scene from a Drama: Ichimura Uzaemon as a Samurai, ca. 1745

Scene from a Drama, probably "Musume Dojoji", ca. 1744
Scene from a Drama, probably " Musume Dojoji", ca. 1744

Scene of the Drama "Oakinai Hiru-ga-Koshima", 1784-85. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Scene of the Drama " Oakinai Hiru-ga-Koshima", 1784-85

The Actor Sanogawa Ichimitsu in Role of Kumenosuke, 1735-1785. Creator: Torii Kiyomitsu
The Actor Sanogawa Ichimitsu in Role of Kumenosuke, 1735-1785

Scene from the Play "Keisei Kaneni Sakura", 1756. Creator: Torii Kiyohiro
Scene from the Play " Keisei Kaneni Sakura", 1756

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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.