Artwork
二代中村野塩|The Actor Nakamura Noshio II, in Female Role, Holding a Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute)
二代中村野塩|The Actor Nakamura Noshio II, in Female Role, Holding a Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1796, depicts a male actor in a female role. The print is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The actor, Nakamura Noshio II, is shown standing outside a building, dressed in a blue and orange outfit, holding a shakuhachi flute and a round fan. His attire and hairstyle are characteristic of a female role in traditional Japanese theater.
Technique & Style
The print is executed in ink and color on paper, showcasing Hokusai's skill with woodblock printing. The simple background, featuring a wooden fence and tiled roof, allows the figure to be the focal point.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
