"Segawa Tomizaburō II as Ogishi Kurando's Wife Yadorigi" by Sharaku (1974-1795)

All artworks are sold as seen on the picture.


This picture depicts Yadorigi, the wife of Ogishi Kurando, who appeared in the play 'Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga,' performed at the Toshizu Theater in May of the sixth year of Kansei.
The kimono is vermilion red, with a scattered pattern of red and white chrysanthemums on a black background, which is quite flamboyant. In contrast, Tomizaburō's face is long, with small eyes and a square jawbone, not particularly beautiful. There is no harmony between his face and attire. However, there is no sense of imbalance in the overall composition of this picture.
To illustrate, compare it with 'Segawa Soujyūrō III as Ogishi Kurando,' who plays the husband in the same scene. Despite Soujyūrō's handsome appearance, there is no imbalance in portraying Tomizaburō as his wife. In other words, although Tomizaburō's facial features may lack feminine beauty and appear somewhat rigid, Sharaku depicts him as a female character on stage, so there is no perceptible imbalance between his face and attire in this picture alone. Sharaku did not believe that female characters needed to be depicted as beautiful.
His intention was to capture the actors' performances and artistic qualities on stage. Segawa Tomizaburō II was a disciple of Segawa Kikunojyō III and succeeded to the name Tomizaburō in the fourth year of Tenmei. Although he was said to imitate his master Kikunojyō's art throughout his life, he was skilled in his own right. He was nicknamed 'Niku Tomi' or 'Iya Tomi' due to his acting style. He passed away in March of the first year of Bunka.