Posted by Ann on October 02, 1998 at 17:21:21:
In Reply to: Onagata Player posted by Michael Johnson on October 02, 1998 at 10:17:01:
Hi Michael-
I am far from being an expert on these things, but it is my understanding that an "Onagata"
is an honorable older lady. I saw the print online... It looked to me like she was holding
some kind of board or dice game (the box or board in her hand), hence the word "player",
but I didn't look at it closely. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
: I recently aquired a print by Kunisada of an Onagata player.
: (Thanks Gary) I had assumed that the person depicted was a women.
: However, I see that the persons forehead is covered by a cloth.
: I seem to recall reading that this was used to cover the shaved areas
: on men. So, are Onagata players men, women, or both? Second, what is an
: Onagata? I had assumed that it was a musical instrument but there doesn't seem to be
: anything of the sort there. Thanks in advance.
: Michael