The Actor, Nakamura Shichisaburo II, as a Woman with Fan - Torii Kiyomasu II

A classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Torii Kiyomasu II, capturing the kabuki actor Nakamura Shichisaburo II in a stylised onnagata role.

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyomasu II depicts the kabuki actor Nakamura Shichisaburo II in an onnagata role. The onnagata, a male actor specialising in female characters, was a central figure in the theatrical culture of the Edo period. Kiyomasu II, a member of the Torii school, produced work heavily influenced by the demands of the kabuki theatres in Edo. The Torii family maintained a close association with these venues, often creating promotional prints that functioned as advertisements for specific performances.

The figure is shown in a graceful, curved posture, holding a folding fan aloft. The kimono features a pattern of pine needles, a motif often associated with longevity and resilience. The composition relies on the bold, calligraphic line work characteristic of the Torii style, which prioritised the expressive power of the actor's silhouette and costume over anatomical realism. The colour palette is restrained, typical of the benizuri-e or early hand-coloured prints of the mid-eighteenth century, utilising soft ochres, muted yellows, and subtle ink washes to define the form.

Unlike later, more naturalistic ukiyo-e, this print focuses on the stylised artifice of the kabuki stage. The actor's face is rendered with minimal features, directing the viewer's attention to the elaborate drapery of the kimono and the deliberate positioning of the body. This approach captures the essence of the theatrical performance rather than a literal portrait of the individual. The print serves as a record of the aesthetic conventions of the period, reflecting the intersection of popular entertainment and graphic art in eighteenth-century Japan. The signature of the artist is visible on the right, confirming its place within the Torii school's output.