Artwork
「二代目瀬川菊之丞図」|The Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō II as a Woman Reading a Letter
「二代目瀬川菊之丞図」|The Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō II as a Woman Reading a Letter is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyomitsu. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Kikunojō wears a dark kimono adorned with bright floral patterns in gold and green, while his hair is styled high with a comb and a feathered headdress.
Created in 1764 by Torii Kiyomitsu, this woodblock print depicts the kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojō II in a female role, a common practice in Edo-period theater known as onnagata. The composition centers on the figure seated against a plain background, emphasizing the intricate details of her attire and the emotional weight of the letter she holds. Kikunojō wears a dark kimono adorned with bright floral patterns in gold and green, while his hair is styled high with a comb and a feathered headdress.
He holds a fan in one hand and a letter in the other, capturing a moment of quiet contemplation or dramatic pause. A Japanese poem inscribed beside the figure provides literary context, a standard feature in ukiyo-e prints that enhances the narrative depth. This work exemplifies Kiyomitsu's mastery of the Torii school, characterized by bold outlines and dynamic poses adapted for the stage.
Produced during the mid-Edo period, the print reflects the era's flourishing kabuki culture and the artist's skill in capturing the elegance and theatricality of popular actors. It remains a significant example of Japanese printmaking that documents both artistic style and social history.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is dressed in a dark, patterned kimono accented with gold and green floral motifs, holds a fan in one hand and a folded letter in the other, and wears a high coiffure secured with a comb and a feathered headdress. The accompanying Japanese poem reinforces a moment of quiet contemplation, suggesting themes of love, longing, or secret communication common in kabuki drama.
Technique & Style
Executed as a traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock, the print combines line work carved into separate blocks for each colour, allowing bright gold and green highlights to emerge against the muted background. Kiyomitsu’s precise rendering of fabric texture and decorative patterns reflects his reputation for detailed, elegant designs within the Torii school’s theatrical repertoire.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, joining a broader collection of Japanese prints that illustrate the commercial and artistic networks of Edo‑period publishing. Its attribution to Kiyomitsu is supported by stylistic analysis and documented signatures typical of his workshop.
Context
During the mid‑eighteenth century, kabuki actors were frequently immortalized in prints that both advertised performances and catered to fans’ fascination with stage personas. Portraying an actor as a female character was a common convention, highlighting the fluidity of gender roles on the kabuki stage and the audience’s appetite for dramatic storytelling.
Artist & collection
