1964 After Sharaku "Actor Sawamura Sojuro in the Role of Ogishi Kuraudo", Full-Color Print

Description

An excellent large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Sawamura Sojuro in the role of Ogishi Kuraudo" … more An excellent large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Sawamura Sojuro in the role of Ogishi Kuraudo" by Toshusai Sharaku. Comes from a rare Collection of 24 Masterpieces by Sharaku. Produced & published by Shuei-Sha, Tokyo, in September, 1964. Printers: Toppan Printing Co., LTD. Printed on one side. Attached at the top to a board of heavy textured paper, covered with lighter sheet of paper for protection, numbered 5 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, minor age wear on the cover, never framed, ready to be framed. Copy of the commentary by Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi (below) in Japanese and English is included.

Overall (folded) 12.50"W x 18.25"H
Overall (unfolded) 25"W x 18.25"H
Image 9.45"W x 14.05"H

Commentary by Ukiyo-e Art consultant & editor Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi:
Signature: signed Toshusai Sharaku
Printers: Tsutaya Juzaburo (with a seal)
In the possession of Mr. Kiyoo Yamamoto, Ashiya

"Gekishin Senwa" (Stories of Dramatic Genii) refers to this actor as a man gentle in appearance and manners but intense inside. And SHARAKU portrays him not just an elegant good looking female impersonator but a man with his own mind with deep emotions placed under perfect control. It is not Sojuro the matinee idol of Edo that he was concerned with but Sojuro who lives his part on the stage. As is true of all his actors' pictures, his treatment of background space is one of his salient characteristics.

This picture was also taken from the play "Hana Ayame-Bunroku Soga". Sojuro here is Sojuro II, one of most important actors through Kanto and Kansai. less