Tōshūsai Sharaku

Actor Segawa Kikunojō III as Oshizu, wife of Tanabe Bunzō

Maker

Tōshūsai Sharaku (Japanese)
Tsutaya Jūzaburō 蔦屋重三郎 (Japanese, 1750 - 1797), publisher

Title

Actor Segawa Kikunojō III as Oshizu, wife of Tanabe Bunzō

Period

Edo (Japanese period)

Year

1794

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color, mica (mineral)

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan; Place Made: Tokyo

Dimensions

Vertical ōban: 37 x 23.3 cm (14 9/16 x 9 3/16 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Signature: Signed: Toshusai Sharaku ga
Publisher's seal

Seals: Censor's seal | kiwame

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Gustav Radeke

Object Number

20.1131

Type

Exhibition History

Edo Theater
The Drama of Kabuki
Jan 18, 2008 – May 18, 2008

Label copy

The work of the printmaker who signed himself Sharaku dates to a very short period of ten months in the years 1794-95. His actor portraits are exceptional because of their innovative style. By creating a bust-length image of the subject, he focused on the facial expression and physiognomic details of the actor portrayed in a way never before done. This portrait is for the play Hana ayame Bunroku Soga, which was performed at the Miyako Theater in the fifth lunar month of 1794.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Tōshūsai Sharaku (Japanese)
Tsutaya Jūzaburō 蔦屋重三郎 (Japanese, 1750 - 1797), publisher
Actor Segawa Kikunojō III as Oshizu, wife of Tanabe Bunzō, 1794
Polychrome woodblock print with silver mica ground
Vertical ōban: 37 x 23.3 cm (14 9/16 x 9 3/16 inches)
Gift of Mrs. Gustav Radeke 20.1131

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