Wakashu (Male Youth)
With an elegant, patterned robe (kosode), gentle facial features enhanced by a powdered complexion, and delicate hands, this figure may appear at first glance to be a female performer frozen in movement. The hair tied back at the forehead, however, suggests that this is actually a male youth (wakashu) cross-dressed as a stylish woman.
Artwork Details
- 若衆図
- Title: Wakashu (Male Youth)
- Artist: Unidentified artist
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: mid- to late 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; color on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 33 9/16 × 13 1/16 in. (85.2 × 33.2 cm)
Overall with mounting: 65 3/4 × 17 9/16 in. (167 × 44.6 cm)
Overall with knobs: 65 3/4 × 19 5/16 in. (167 × 49.1 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2020
- Object Number: 2020.396.28
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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