Segawa Tomisaburō II as Yadorigi

Beauties and Actors

Tōshūsai Sharaku

Segawa Tomisaburō II as Yadorigi

1794

Woodblock print; ink, color and white mica on paper, 37.1 × 25.1 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Playing a stylish woman, the male actor tugs at his robe with a big theatrical gesture.

  • Look at the square jaw beneath the woman's hairstyle.
  • A handwritten note gives the actor's name and the fifth month of 1794.
  • Audiences were fascinated by onnagata, men who specialized in women's roles.

Image: The Met Open Access · Public domain (Met Open Access)

38 / 74