Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

Tōshūsai Sharaku is the most mysterious of all Japanese print designers. His prints appeared suddenly in May 1794, and just as suddenly they disappeared from view in January 1795. In a career that spanned less than a year, he produced about 150 prints, a few paintings, and some preparatory drawings . He worked exclusively for the Edo publisher Tsutaya Jūsaburō. This rare example of Sharaku’s work—it may bey only one of two worldwide—originally formed the right- hand side of a triptych. Published in the eleventh month of Kansei 6 (December 1794), the triptych celebrates the actors in the Kabuki play Matsu wa Misao Onna Kusunoki presented that season. The actor in our this print is Osagawa Tsuneyo II in his role as the female lead, Kojima, disguised as gardener. The actor’s strong face—with its large nose and long, pointed chin—is presented with an air of delicacy, in contrast to the boldness of the his kimono and obi.