The Actor Arashi Wakano as a wakashu (youth) in a kappa (raincoat)

This print from circa 1725 shows the onnagata kabuki actor known as 初代嵐 若の [ARASHI Wakano], a male actor who typically played female roles. In this particular portrayal, the actor is not crossdressing as a “woman,” but rather interpreting the role of a third gender wakashū youth. After the ban of wakashū actors in Kabuki, thespians were expected to have come of age and also to have shaved off their long forelocks: thus the actor wears a 紫帽子 [murasaki-bōshi] or 野郎帽子 [yarō-bōshi] headscarf to cover his shaven head. The actor looks exquisitely androgynous while holding an ornate umbrella that would not have been uncommon for ladies of high status at the time. The actor’s hairstyle is intricate, with the characteristic wavy styling towards the 髱 [tabo] nape, known as the 鴎髱 [kamome tabo] or “seagull’s tail,” and a strand tied high toward the 髷 [mage] crown. The countenance is especially beautiful. A reddish kimono peeks out at the height of the neck, beneath a beautiful dark raincoat with bold disclike patterns. The feet appear wearing very tall 高足駄下駄 [taka-ashida geta] sandals, which are worn during the rainy season to protect the wearers’ clothes from the muddy floor. Underneath the figure are a series of kanji characters meant to be read from right to left. The first set “繪師西河吉信筆” attributes the authorship of the artwork while the second set “大傳馬町三丁目九屋” probably describes the location of a printing shop or publisher.

Woodblock print