Artwork

長谷川貞信画三代目尾上菊五郎|Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugorō III as the Spirit of the Courtesan Yonakishii

長谷川貞信画三代目尾上菊五郎|Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugorō III as the Spirit of the Courtesan Yonakishii is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Hasegawa Sadanobu. It dates from 1841 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1841 by the Edo‑period printmaker Hasegawa Sadanobu, this woodblock illustration is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. It portrays the celebrated kabuki performer Onoe Kikugorō III transformed into the ethereal figure of the courtesan Yonakishii, a role drawn from popular theatrical repertoire of the time.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows a female figure dressed in a richly patterned kimono, hair arranged in a formal updo, and holding a blue cloth. By casting the actor as the spirit of a courtesan, the print underscores the fluidity of gender and identity on the kabuki stage, where male performers routinely assumed female roles.

Technique & Style

Executed with traditional ukiyo‑e methods, the work combines carved woodblocks for line work with separate blocks for color application. The contrast between the dark gray backdrop and the lighter, detailed garments highlights the figure’s serene demeanor, while the intricate patterns demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century prints.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the late Edo period, a time when kabuki portraiture flourished. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, joining a broader collection of Japanese woodblock prints that document theatrical culture.

Context

Onoe Kikugorō III (1798‑1865) was a leading actor of the three‑generation Onoe lineage, renowned for his portrayals of elegant courtesans. The character Yonakishii appears in popular kabuki dramas, embodying ideals of beauty and refined poise that resonated with contemporary audiences.