Japanese Kabuki Print of an Onnagata by Toyohara Kunichika

Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
Frame Measurements: 20-25mm (0.79"-0.98") thick, 10-14mm (0.4"-0.6") wide.
Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils).
Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.

This is an elegant and atmospheric yakusha-e (actor print) by the Meiji-era master, Toyohara Kunichika. The woodblock print features a half-length portrait of a kabuki performer in a female role, holding a vibrant red fan (uchiwa). The figure is dressed in a beautifully patterned kimono and is set against a dark, moody background of silhouetted foliage, which makes the actor's pale face and colourful costume stand out dramatically. Kunichika, a devoted fan of the kabuki theater, masterfully captures a moment of quiet grace and theatrical beauty.

Historical Tidbit

Although this print depicts a graceful female figure, the actor portrayed is almost certainly a man. In 1629, the Japanese shogunate officially banned women from performing on the kabuki stage, a prohibition that lasted for centuries. Consequently, all female roles (onnagata) were performed by male actors who specialized in this demanding discipline. Becoming an onnagata was a lifelong dedication, requiring rigorous training from childhood to perfect the stylized gestures, delicate movements, and high-pitched voice of the idealized woman. These actors were often the biggest stars of the kabuki stage, celebrated by their fans as the ultimate embodiment of feminine grace.

Our sturdy wooden framed posters come ready to hang and are printed on heavyweight white matte paper with a smooth, luxurious finish—designed to stand the test of time: