Drag Collection (page 2)

The Osaka Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III and Nakamura Shikan IV, c1870. Creator: Utagawa Yoshiiku
The Osaka Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III and Nakamura Shikan IV, c1870

Bando Shuka as Hashimotoya Shiraito, 1852. Creator: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Bando Shuka as Hashimotoya Shiraito, 1852. Kabuki actor in the role of courtesan of the Hashimotoya Restaurant, holding up a gold coin (s)he has just taken from a paper wrapper

Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Ishikawa Goemon, Onoe Kikugoro II as the wife Oritsu... between 1848 & 1852
Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Ishikawa Goemon, Onoe Kikugoro II as the wife Oritsu, Arashi Rikan III as Haginoya Yaegiri and Nakamura Utaemon IV as Takagi Oriemon from the series Comparison of flowers

The Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in a Female Role, between circa 1863 and circa 1868. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
The Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in a Female Role, between circa 1863 and circa 1868

Scene froma Kabuki play, Mid-late 1780s. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Scene froma Kabuki play, Mid-late 1780s. Actors Sawamura Sojuro III as Nuregami Chogoro, Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Hanaregoma Chokichi, Segawa Kikunojo III as Azuma

Segawa Kikunojo III in a Female Role, between circa 1790 and circa 1795. Creator: Katsukawa Shun'ei
Segawa Kikunojo III in a Female Role, between circa 1790 and circa 1795

Actor in the Role of Asada Itcho, between circa 1843 and circa 1855. Creator: Utagawa Kuniteru
Actor in the Role of Asada Itcho, between circa 1843 and circa 1855. Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Tsukushi Gonroku, Bando Shuka as Yakko no Koman

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the Play Kuruwa no Hana Katsuragi no Kane, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the third Month, 1775, Japan, c

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Danc... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Dance Sequence "Sono Utsushi-e Matsu ni Kaede" (A Shadow-Picture of Pine and Maple)

The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho Konegen Butai (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?)... c1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the First Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahe... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahei (right), and Iwai Hanshiro IV as Umegae Disguised as the Poem-Diviner Omatsu (left)

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya-bashira Iwao no Butai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Seventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed... c. 1789. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Monther, 1789, Japan, c. 1789

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Fifth Month, 1771 (?), Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Hatsu-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Agemaki in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Agemaki in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1771, Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no Kaomise (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1776 (?), Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume... c. 1784. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume Choja (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1784 (?), Japan, c. 1784

The Actor Segawa Kitsuji III as Murasame in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho, Performed... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kitsuji III as Murasame in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-gassen Onna Maizuru, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) in the Play Hatsumombi... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as the Courtesan Wakamatsu (?) in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Riko I as the Courtesan Wakamatsu (?) in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1773 (?), Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Ikushima Daikichi III as the Courtesan Naniwazu in the Play Saki Masuya Ume... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ikushima Daikichi III as the Courtesan Naniwazu in the Play Saki Masuya Ume no Kachidoki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Onoe no Mae in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori... c. 1778. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Onoe no Mae in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1778, Japan, c. 1778

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-gassen Onna Maizuru, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Tsukisayo in the Play Gohiiki Nenne Soga, Performed... c. 1779. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Tsukisayo in the Play Gohiiki Nenne Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1779, Japan, c. 1779

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Miyagino Disguised as a Hairdresser in the Play... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Miyagino Disguised as a Hairdresser in the Play Kosode-gura no Tekubari, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Aigo no Waka in the Play Chigo Sakura Jusan Kane... c. 1774. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Aigo no Waka in the Play Chigo Sakura Jusan Kane, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1774, Japan, c. 1774

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Akoya in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed... Japan, c.1779. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Akoya in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1779, Japan, c. 1779

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura (?), Performed at the Nakamora Theater (?) in the Ninth Month, 1780 (?), Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Kichisaburo, Temple Page of Kichijo-ji, in the Play... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Kichisaburo, Temple Page of Kichijo-ji, in the Play Sono Kyodai Fuji no Sugatami, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Hatsumombi... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1780 (?), Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Minamoto no Yorinobu in the Play Kikujido Shuen no... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Minamoto no Yorinobu in the Play Kikujido Shuen no Iwaya, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo I as the Geisha Yukino (or Oyuki?) in the Play Kabuki no... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo I as the Geisha Yukino (or Oyuki?) in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as the Courtesan Miyagino (?) in the Play Go Taiheiki... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as the Courtesan Miyagino (?) in the Play Go Taiheiki Shiraishi-banashi (?), Performed at the Morita Theater in the Fourth Month, 1780 (?), Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Tsuneyo II as Okaru in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita... c.1779. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Tsuneyo II as Okaru in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eighth Month, 1779, Japan, c. 1779

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Misao Disguised as a Komuso in the Play Kosode-gura... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Misao Disguised as a Komuso in the Play Kosode-gura no Tekubari, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

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"Unleashing the Power of Drag: A Journey through Time and Expression" Step into a world where boundaries are shattered, stereotypes challenged, and creativity reigns supreme. From Danny La Rue's iconic portrayal as a female impersonator in 1965 to Cecil Aldin's whimsical illustration of dogs walking in drag, the art has captivated hearts and minds for decades. In the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Billy Wilder's publicity still for "Some Like It Hot" showcased how drag could be both hilarious and empowering. The Rocky Twins took it a step further by transforming themselves into the enchanting Dolly Sisters in Paris, proving that gender is merely a costume we wear. But drag isn't confined to stages or screens alone; it takes flight even at great heights. The Handley Page HP-80 Victor soared through the skies with its own flamboyant flair, defying expectations just like those who embrace this art form. Fortunino Matania's captivating painting "A Concert behind the Lines" reminds us that even during times of war, drag provided solace and entertainment—a testament to its enduring power to uplift spirits. As time marched on, so did the evolution of drag. In 1965, Danny La Rue continued to push boundaries with his mesmerizing performances that blurred lines between genders. Meanwhile, Sangers Circus cyclist pedaled fearlessly through Haverfordwest while donning fabulous attire—proof that anyone can find their inner diva on two wheels. Not limited by geography or culture either, Foujita embraced drag across continents—an artist unafraid to challenge societal norms wherever he went. And let us not forget Henri Clark's poignant music sheet depicting "The Poor Washerwoman, " reminding us that beneath layers of fabric lies stories waiting to be heard. From Hayle Carnival in Cornwall came The Penmare Boozy-Doos—drag enthusiasts who celebrated individuality amidst cheers and applause.