Ishikawa Toyonobu
Japanese, 1711–1785
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo I as a courtesan
INV-2145
Ishikawa Toyonobu
Japanese, 1711–1785c. 1747
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo I as a courtesan
Ishikawa Toyonobu Japanese, 1711–1785 →Japanese (culture or style)woodblock printprint
Date
c. 1747
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; vertical oban diptych, beni-e
Dimensions
69.6 × 25.2 cm (27 1/2 × 10 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Clarence Buckingham Collection
This is probably a portrait of the actor who played the courtesan Nishikigi in the play A Group of Sumo Wresters of the Izu Peninsula, which was performed at the Nakamura theater in December 1747. Since women were prohibited from acting onstage, female roles were taken by men called onnagata. The actor Segawa Kikunojo I was one of the most famous onnagata of the time. His crest (mon) appears on his sleeve.
Also notable
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