1964 After Sharaku "Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as Girl Miyagino", Full-Color Print From Japan

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A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as Girl Miyagino" by Toshusai Sharaku. … Read more A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as Girl Miyagino" 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 6 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 9.20"W x 14.25"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

Female impersonator Nakayama Tomisaburo in the role of Miyagino as a character in the play "Katakiuchi Noriai-Bune" (Vendetta Ferry Boat) in which he co-starts with Matsumoto Yonesaburo who plays Miyagino's sister Shinobu. Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo was nicknamed "Twirling Tomi". SHARAKU's portrait of him is unique. Grotesquely exaggerated eyebrows raised ridiculously high, a nose disproportionally large with small eyes and mouth, and a monstrous face so emerges is a far cry from the beautiful woman he appears to be on the stage. But this is the real actor Tomisaburo captured underneath his makeup and gimmicks.

The blue of his outer garment, the purple of the undergarment and the headwear , and the crimson of the collar peeping from underneath the kimono and the cuffs of the sleeves are played up by the gray mica background and seem to evoke exactly the kind of atmosphere required for the part. The lightly hooked left hand plays a big part in this impressionistic portrait. See less