Ichikawa Shocho II as Oman

This print presents Ichikawa Shocho II in the role of Oman, a female character from the kabuki repertoire, situating it within the yakusha-e tradition of actor portraiture. Ichikawa Shocho II was an onnagata—a male actor specializing in female roles—and depicting him in character allowed Gekko to combine the visual conventions of bijin-ga with theatrical portraiture. Oman is a name associated with several kabuki narratives, typically a devoted or wronged woman. Gekko likely renders the figure in characteristic onnagata pose, with carefully observed costume details including the kimono pattern, obi knot, and hairpiece reflecting authentic stage dress. The composition would balance the actor's known physical features against the idealized femininity of the role. Meiji audiences collected actor prints as visual records of performances and as tributes to popular stage personalities, and Gekko produced numerous such sheets.