Utagawa Kunisada
Secret meeting in the snow, 1823
About the object
A romantic encounter takes place in a snowy landscape between Mrs Yoso'oi and Ninta with a portable noodle stand. The law stipulated that only male actors were allowed to act in Kabuki. Those specialised in female roles were called onnagata; they were considered to be »more female than women«, so well had they been trained. They wore a violet ribbon around the forehead to indicate they were playing a female part.