Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Kabuki Actor Segawa Rokō / Fan print, 1827.

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865).

Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga (五渡亭國貞画)

Date seal: Year of the Boar (亥), Bunsei 10, 1827.

Censor seal: kiwame (極)

Publisher: Unknown; seal ト本 (to, hon); not in Marks.

Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 225 x 292 mm.

Kabuki Actor: Segawa Rokō (瀬川路考), a.k.a. Segawa Kikunojō V [瀬川菊之丞] (Japanese, 1802 – 1832); other names: Segawa Tamon I.

A half-length portrait of the actor Segawa Rokō (瀬川路考) in a three-quarter view, turned slightly to the left. He is depicted in a female role (onnagata), dressed in a vibrant green kimono with a subtle wave-like pattern and scattered floral motifs. The red under-kimono features a white design of waves and a waterwheel (suisha, 水車). A blue towel draped over his shoulder is adorned with white chrysanthemums and pine needles, possibly alluding to The Seven Grasses of Winter (Fuyugusa Nana-kusa, 冬草七草). His hair is styled with a decorative ribbon and a gilt kanzashi hairpin.

The background consists of bold diagonal stripes in alternating shades of black, blue, and lavender, strikingly contrasting the figure. A red and gold toshidama cartouche in the upper right contains the actor’s name, 瀬川路考.

[Thanks to Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project]