1794／Color woodblock print on paper
37.6 x 25.2 cm
The Beauty of the Floating World in Edo
Exhibition period：Friday May 30～Sunday August 31, 2025
Exhibition period of the work：Tuesday July 29～Sunday August 31, 2025
Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (Taipei, Taiwan)
SUMMARY
A drawing depicting the role of Noh performer Takemura Sadanoshin, protagonist of the climax of the first half of Dojoji (a famous Noh play), in a scene from the kabuki play Koinyobo Somewake Tazuna, performed at Kawarasakiza in May 1794. Ichikawa Ebizo, the actor who played him, was also known as Ichikawa Danjuro V, and was hailed as the greatest actor of his time. The large physique, finely chiseled facial features, and the rich expression using the entire face conveys the actor’s grand style. In addition, Sadanoshin’s face, the lines of the collars and ceremonial costume, and his joined hands skillfully stage the rhythmical and stable composition.
ARTIST
Toshusai Sharaku
Date of birth/death unknown, fl. 1794-1795
Active for only ten months beginning in May 1794, he released color prints on three occasions, totaling over 140 pieces. Among them was a series of 28 okubi-e (portraits of the head and upper torso) with mica powder backgrounds which attracted attention. The series was of kabuki actors of the time, and included Otani Oniji III in the Role of the Servant Edobei and Ichikawa Ebizo as Takemura Sadanoshin. Because the actors’ characteristics were captured so faithfully, his work received a response that was both good and bad: “He drew too true to reality...and didn’t last long.” (Ota Nampo, Various Thoughts on Ukiyo-e)
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
Friday, May 30 - Sunday, August 31, 2025
The Beauty of the Floating World in Edo Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (Taipei, Taiwan)
Friday, September 17 - Sunday, October 17, 2021
Masterpieces of Japanese-style Painting from the Collection of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Tendo City Museum of Art (Yamagata, Japan)
Monday, June 1 - Sunday, July 5, 2020
Great Masters of Japanese Painting from the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection Shimane Art Museum (Shimane, Japan)
Saturday, November 2 - Sunday, December 22, 2019
“Rendez-vous” through Arts―East Meets West― Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts, Izumi (Osaka, Japan)
Sunday, August 25 - Sunday, September 29, 2019
This Is Japan In Kyoto From The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection The Museum of Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)
Saturday, March 24 - Sunday, May 27, 2018
OEDO EXHIBITION NAGASAKI Nagasaki Prefectual Art Museum (Nagasaki, Japan)
Saturday, June 20 - Sunday, August 2, 2015
Ukiyo-e masterpieces from Hokusai and Hiroshige from the TFAM Collection The Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Curitiba, Brazil)
Tuesday, January 6 - Sunday, February 1, 1998
The great Utamaro exhibition Fukuoka Art Museum (Fukuoka, Japan)
Wednesday, March 15 - Friday, May 12, 1995
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection Inter-American Development Bank, Cultural Center (Washington D. C., USA)
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