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This re-edition, created about 165 years after the original, depicts a male kabuki actor portraying a geisha, or female entertainer. This type of print was a common souvenir for theater patrons. These prints often employed elaborate patterning and delicate printing and carving techniques to capture the drama of kabuki theater. One prevalent technique which can be seen in this print is kirazuri (雲母摺り). In kirazuri, nori paste, animal glue, and water are applied to the block and printed without color. Then the wet adhesive is dusted with kira (雲母), or mica powder, creating an iridescent surface that highlights the importance of the figure. (Clear Water: Encountering Mokuhanga, 2023)Label
2023, The Art of Gender (outdoor sign installation)
This print depicts an onnagata, a male Kabuki actor who specializes in playing female roles. An elaborate hairstyle, makeup, and a women’s kimono reconfigure his appearance, coding it as feminine. What do you think this transformation could suggest about the physical traits we often associate with femininity?