Signature: Toshusai Syaraku
Date: 1968
Condition: Good impression, vibrant colors, faint soling, small thinned area,
Japanese Woodblock Print,
Size Print (31 x 21 cm), Backing sheet (41.5 x 30 cm)
All artworks are sold as seen on the picture.
This role appears in the play "Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga" performed at the Toza Theater in May of the sixth year of Kansei. It is a portrayal of a virtuous character. At first glance, this painting may seem ordinary, but it is indeed one of the masterpieces. The reason lies in the fact that Sharaku's artistry goes beyond merely depicting the actor's appearance. He captures the actor's artistic qualities, stature, personal characteristics, and even the essence of the character being portrayed. This distinctive aspect of Sharaku's artistry sets it apart from other painters. The essence of Sharaku's artistry is fully expressed in this single painting, making it a masterpiece for that reason.
At first glance, it appears to be a half-length portrait of a samurai holding an open fan. The color scheme is quite simple, mainly consisting of three colors: the rich purple of the kimono, the gold of the fan, and the deep black of the background. Nevertheless, the face of Sōjūrō that emerges here faithfully captures the appearance of the man who was praised as "a man of great virtue." There is a remarkable tension in the curves of the facial contours from just below the left eyebrow to the jaw, and the fullness of the face is astonishingly depicted. The words used to describe Sōjūrō as "having mature depths within his gentleness" are reflected in the portrayal of the actor Sōjūrō, confirming the accuracy of this description through his round eyes and tightly drawn lips.
Infusing life into this seemingly ordinary portrait is the large metal ornament spread out across the chest, a testament to Sharaku's keen sense of color. Sōzaburō Sazamura III, also known as Mitsujūrō, was the second son of Sōjūrō III and the younger brother of Yagorō Ichikawa III, who was also portrayed by Sharaku. A renowned actor of leading roles in his time, he passed away at the age of forty-nine in March of the first year of Kyōwa.
