1964 After Sharaku "Actor Tanimura Torazo as Washizuka Yaheita", Full-Color Print From Japan

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A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Tanimura Torazo as Washizuka Yaheita" by Toshusai Sharaku. … Read more A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Tanimura Torazo as Washizuka Yaheita" 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 14 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, 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 9.65"W x 14.55"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. Mikio Mizuta, Tokyo

This is also one of 10 pictures involving the dramatic personae of the play "Koi Nyobo Somewake Tazuna". The star villain of this play is Washizuka Kandayu played by Otani Oniji but actor Washizuka Hachiheita represented in this plate (print) is a minor villain in the show. The picture perfectly captures the powerful performance of Tanimura Torazo with the massive hair, the stubs of the obviously heavy mustache shaven off, the square corners of the eyes tinted red, a mouth closed over half-bared teeth, and the dark ochre face. What this face communicates is not the bg menace of the star villain but rather the repellence of a small scheming villain. SHARAKU depends for effect not only upon the actor's face but upon the implications of colors. He makes a typical Kabuki villain, brightly picturisque. See less