{"product_id":"ukiyoe-japanese-woodblock-prints-syaraku-11","title":"Ichikawa Omezō as Yakko Ippei","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-short-description\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"236\" data-end=\"276\"\u003eScholarly Notes on This Ukiyo-e Print\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"278\" data-end=\"450\"\u003eThis description is based on the original scholarly notes supervised by Yoshida Eiji, a leading authority on ukiyo-e research and Sharaku studies, included with this print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"680\"\u003eEach artwork is accompanied by a thin sheet of Japanese washi paper containing academic commentary in Japanese. For international collectors, we provide here a faithful English translation as part of the artwork’s documentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"682\" data-end=\"685\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"687\" data-end=\"709\"\u003eArtwork Description\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"259\" data-end=\"552\"\u003eThis work depicts Ichikawa Omezō in the role of Yakko Ippei from the play \u003cem data-start=\"333\" data-end=\"360\"\u003eKoi Nyōbō Somewake Tazuna\u003c\/em\u003e, performed at the Kawarazaki Theater in May of the sixth year of Kansei (1794). Yakko Ippei appears in support of Date no Yosaku, and the scene captures a dramatic moment of tension on stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"964\"\u003eThis painting is commonly referred to as \u003cem data-start=\"595\" data-end=\"606\"\u003eAka Juban\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning “Red Undergarment,” because of the vivid red garment revealed beneath the costume. The bold red creates a striking visual contrast and enhances the theatrical pose typical of kabuki. The actor’s serious facial expression during this climactic moment, combined with the poised upper body and readiness for action, conveys the intensity of the scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"966\" data-end=\"1390\"\u003eThe tension of the performance is visible in the expression, particularly in the tightened mouth and focused gaze. At the same time, Sharaku captures the youthfulness of Ichikawa Omezō, who officially came of age in the first year of Kansei. The lines around the mouth, the contour of the face, and the area from beneath the nose to the chin reveal both seriousness and freshness, giving the portrait a distinctive vitality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1392\" data-end=\"1694\"\u003eIchikawa Omezō was a disciple of Ichikawa Danjūrō V and gained recognition at a young age. He later became a renowned actor during the Bunka and Bunsei eras and achieved the prestigious rank of Kōjōjōkichi in the Kansei era. He passed away at the age of fifty-three in June of the fourth year of Tenpō.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1817\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1829\"\u003eEdition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"1899\"\u003e1968 woodblock reprint\u003cbr data-start=\"1853\" data-end=\"1856\"\u003eHand printed using traditional techniques\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"1973\"\u003eThis is a mid 20th century reprint after Sharaku’s original 1794 design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1975\" data-end=\"1978\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1980\" data-end=\"1992\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1994\" data-end=\"2030\"\u003eGood impression with vibrant colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2032\" data-end=\"2035\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2047\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2049\" data-end=\"2173\"\u003eSignature: Toshusai Sharaku\u003cbr data-start=\"2076\" data-end=\"2079\"\u003eDate: 1968\u003cbr data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2092\"\u003eJapanese Woodblock Print\u003cbr data-start=\"2116\" data-end=\"2119\"\u003ePrint size: 31 x 21 cm\u003cbr data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2144\"\u003eBacking sheet: 41.5 x 30 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2225\"\u003eAll artworks are sold as shown in the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2227\" data-end=\"2230\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2232\" data-end=\"2259\"\u003eAbout the Sharaku Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2261\" data-end=\"2425\"\u003eTōshūsai Sharaku was active for only ten months between 1794 and 1795. During this brief period, he created actor portraits that broke dramatically from convention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2427\" data-end=\"2582\"\u003eRather than idealizing his subjects, Sharaku revealed the psychological intensity of kabuki performance through bold composition and uncompromising vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2584\" data-end=\"2767\"\u003eThis series presents carefully selected mid 20th century woodblock reprints, printed by hand using traditional methods, offering a renewed encounter with Sharaku’s revolutionary work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kumano.is","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46180612866348,"sku":"","price":24999.0,"currency_code":"ISK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/6205\/5724\/files\/5-9_Kumano_project_2023042514015_1.jpg?v=1707489932","url":"https:\/\/kumano.is\/products\/ukiyoe-japanese-woodblock-prints-syaraku-11","provider":"Kumano.is","version":"1.0","type":"link"}