The Second Segawa Kikunojo Commonly Known by His Literary Name, Roko

Art Historical Context

Step into the dazzling world of Edo-period Japan with Torii Kiyomitsu's *The Second Segawa Kikunojo Commonly Known by His Literary Name, Roko* (ca. 1762). This woodblock print captures the celebrated kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojō II, known as Roko, a master onnagata who specialized in female roles. Produced during the vibrant Edo period (1615–1868), it reflects ukiyo-e's "floating world" fascination with theater, fashion, and fleeting pleasures, where stars like Roko were as idolized as modern celebrities. Kiyomitsu, a leading figure in the Torii school, excelled in yakusha-e (actor prints) with his bold lines, vivid colors, and expressive poses. Printed in the narrow hosoban format—measuring just 23½ × 4⅛ inches—this intimate vertical design was affordable and portable, often sold outside theaters as souvenirs for fans. The ink and color on paper showcase meticulous woodblock techniques: carved blocks inked separately for each hue, layered to create lifelike skin tones and flowing robes. This print's cultural significance lies in immortalizing kabuki's gender-bending artistry, where men like Roko embodied graceful women with uncanny realism. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1914, it offers a window into Japan's theatrical golden age, blending artistry with everyday fandom.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyomitsu · 1735–1785

Torii Kiyomitsu (1735–1785) was a leading master of the Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and a key figure in the third generation of the celebrated Torii school. Born into an artistic dynasty founded by his ancestor Torii Kiyonobu, Kiyomitsu trained within the family workshop and inherited its deep connections to the Kabuki theater world, for which the Torii school had long designed prom...