{"product_id":"ukiyoe-japanese-woodblock-prints-syaraku-12","title":"Bandō Hikosaburō III  as Obiya Chōemon and Iwai Hanshirō IV as Shinanoya Ohan","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"631\" data-start=\"591\"\u003eScholarly Notes on This Ukiyo-e Print\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"805\" data-start=\"633\"\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-end=\"1035\" data-start=\"807\"\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-end=\"1040\" data-start=\"1037\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1064\" data-start=\"1042\"\u003eArtwork Description\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"2123\"\u003eThis artwork depicts a scene from the play \u003cem data-start=\"1870\" data-end=\"1898\"\u003eKatsuragawa Tsukino Omoide\u003c\/em\u003e, performed at the Kawarazakiza Theater in July of the sixth year of Kansei (1794). It portrays Bandō Hikosaburō III as Obiya Chōemon and Iwai Hanshirō IV as Shinanoya Ohan during their journey, accompanied by Tokiwazu music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2125\" data-end=\"2569\"\u003eSharaku created seven large-format full-body portraits during his second period, and this is one of them. Among the seven, it is the most serene. The calm atmosphere likely reflects the presence of Tokiwazu accompaniment, which emphasizes dialogue and subtle movement. In this composition, Chōemon stands in stillness while Ohan is captured in motion, highlighting her youthful innocence and the expressive quality of Hanshirō IV’s performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2938\"\u003eLooking at this picture, one can almost sense the atmosphere of the stage, as if hearing the Tokiwazu melody. Although Hanshirō IV was forty-eight years old at the time, he portrays the thirteen-year-old Ohan with convincing delicacy. Sharaku’s ability to capture not only physical likeness but also stage presence and performance style is fully evident in this work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2940\" data-end=\"3391\"\u003eIwai Hanshirō IV entered the school of Ichikawa Danjūrō IV and later became the adopted son of the Iwai family. Known for his round face and referred to as “Otafuku Hanshirō,” he was one of the leading onnagata of the Tenmei and Kansei periods. Bandō Hikosaburō III, the youngest son of Ichimura Hazaemon VIII and adopted by Ogami Kikugorō, was admired for his refined and sincere acting style. Both actors were regarded as major figures of their era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2168\" data-start=\"2165\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2180\" data-start=\"2170\"\u003eEdition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2250\" data-start=\"2182\"\u003e1968 woodblock reprint\u003cbr data-end=\"2207\" data-start=\"2204\"\u003eHand printed using traditional techniques\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2324\" data-start=\"2252\"\u003eThis is a mid 20th century reprint after Sharaku’s original 1794 design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2329\" data-start=\"2326\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2343\" data-start=\"2331\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2381\" data-start=\"2345\"\u003eGood impression with vibrant colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2386\" data-start=\"2383\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2398\" data-start=\"2388\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2524\" data-start=\"2400\"\u003eSignature: Toshusai Sharaku\u003cbr data-end=\"2430\" data-start=\"2427\"\u003eDate: 1968\u003cbr data-end=\"2443\" data-start=\"2440\"\u003eJapanese Woodblock Print\u003cbr data-end=\"2470\" data-start=\"2467\"\u003ePrint size: 31 x 21 cm\u003cbr data-end=\"2495\" data-start=\"2492\"\u003eBacking sheet: 41.5 x 30 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2576\" data-start=\"2526\"\u003eAll artworks are sold as shown in the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2581\" data-start=\"2578\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2610\" data-start=\"2583\"\u003eAbout the Sharaku Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2776\" data-start=\"2612\"\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-end=\"2933\" data-start=\"2778\"\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-end=\"3118\" data-start=\"2935\"\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","brand":"Kumano.is","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46180626596140,"sku":"","price":24999.0,"currency_code":"ISK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/6205\/5724\/files\/5-10_Kumano_project_2023042514024_1.jpg?v=1707493972","url":"https:\/\/kumano.is\/products\/ukiyoe-japanese-woodblock-prints-syaraku-12","provider":"Kumano.is","version":"1.0","type":"link"}