The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as the Courtesan Miyagino (?) in the Play Go Taiheiki Shiraishi-banashi (?), Performed at the Morita Theater in the Fourth Month, 1780 (?)

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese theater with Katsukawa Shunsho's *The Actor Osagawa Tsuno II as the Couran Miyagino* (?), a captivating color woodblock print from around 1780. This hosoban-format yakusha-e (actor portrait) depicts the onnagata—male actor specializing in female roles—Os Tsuneyo II in his role from the kabuki play *Go Taiheiki Shiraishi-banashi* (?), performed at the esteemed Morita Theater in Edo (modern Tokyo) during the fourth month. Shunsho, a leading master of the Katsukawa school, masterfully captures Tsuneyo's elegant poise and expressive features, ev...