Kikunojo Segawa, Actor Portrait by Sharaku (1794)

Tōshūsai Sharaku’s Artwork

Tōshūsai Sharaku’s woodblock print 三代目瀬川菊之丞の田辺文蔵妻おしづ
(Segawa Kikunojo III as Oshizu, Wife of Tanabe Bunzo) is one of the masterpieces of late 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e actor portraiture,
capturing both the allure of Sharaku’s enigmatic style and the celebrated artistry of the kabuki onnagata actor Segawa Kikunojo III.

The Artwork: 三代目瀬川菊之丞の田辺文蔵妻おしづ

This portrait depicts Segawa Kikunojo III—one of the Edo period’s most acclaimed onnagata—playing Oshizu in the kabuki play Hanaayame Bunroku Soga,
performed at the Miyako-za theater in May 1794.
Oshizu is the suffering yet resilient wife of Tanabe Bunzo, enduring hardship and illness (represented by a headband on her frail figure)
alongside her husband who is committed to an avenging quest.
Sharaku masterfully captures both the melancholy and dignity of this character:
the gentle fullness of the face, the subtly expressive posture, and the realistic detailing of hair and costume
evoke Oshizu’s grace and private sorrow.

The color scheme, with bold touches of red and green, heightens both the understated elegance of the figure and the dramatic stage presence,
making this print especially revered among Sharaku’s works depicting female roles.
The artwork is considered among the very best of his onnagata portraits.

About Segawa Kikunojo III

Segawa Kikunojo III (1751–1816) was famous for his skill as an onnagata (male actor specializing in female roles),
eventually becoming a leader at the theater and earning the title of Edo’s foremost performer in this style.
Born in Osaka as the son of a choreographer, he rose through kabuki ranks, was adopted by the distinguished Segawa family,
and succeeded to the Kikunojo stage name.
Known for the elegance and depth of his performances, he embodied the spirit and ideal of Edo’s kabuki theater.
He was celebrated for bringing a unique refinement and emotional depth to his roles,
becoming a benchmark for generations of onnagata actors.

Significance of the Portrait

Sharaku’s print does more than record an actor in costume: it transmits the essence of performance and the cultural power of the Edo kabuki stage.
The expressiveness, compositional mastery, and psychological subtlety in Segawa Kikunojo III as Oshizu
continue to inspire admiration, while also preserving the artistry of one of kabuki’s greatest performers.

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