The Third Segawa Kikunojo as (?) Wife of Kudo Suketsune in a Soga Play

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Katsukawa Shuni, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition from the Katsukawa school, the theatrical glamour of Kabuki stars. This woodblock print, dated around 1792, portrays the celebrated actor Segawa Kikunojō III in the role of the wife of Kudō Suketsune from a Soga play—a popular tale of revenge centered on the Soga brothers' vendetta. Segawa, one of the era's premier *onnagata* (male actors specializing in female roles), embodies the elegance and intensity of the character, her elaborate kimono and expressive pose frozen in ink and color on paper. Shun'ei's yakusha-e (actor prints) were highly sought after, reflecting the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") focus on fleeting pleasures like theater. Woodblock printing techniques—carving multiple blocks for precise layering of colors—allowed for vivid details in costumes and makeup, making these affordable prints a democratizing force in art. At just 12 x 5½ inches, this intimate format was perfect for fans to collect and display. This piece highlights Kabuki's cultural dominance and the *onnagata* tradition, where men portrayed women with astonishing realism, blurring gender lines on stage. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1918, it offers a window into Japan's performative artistry and social fascination with celebrity.

About the Artist

Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英 (Japanese) · 1762 –1819

Japanese, 1762–1819