Live Auction 12020Aesthetic Intuition: Collecting Japanese Art in Post-War London
Toshusai Sharaku (active circa 1794-95)
Lot 85 Theories persist about the identity of the enigmatic master print artist Sharaku, who worked for only ten months between 1794 and 1795, in collaboration with the publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo. For reasons still unknown, but possibly to do with a difficult relationship with his publisher, he gave up designing prints after less than one year. 136 of Sharaku’s total oeuvre of 145 print designs take kabuki actors as their subject and his work is instantly recognisable by its psychological intensity and reductive approach. The two prints here are both on a dark grey mica ground, an exceptional feat of printing requiring a specialised studio and major financing.

Property from a Japanese Collection

Toshusai Sharaku (active circa 1794-95)

The actor Sakata Hangoro III in the role of the villain Fujikawa Mizuemon

Closed11 November 2015

Price Realised

GBP 62,500

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Toshusai Sharaku (active circa 1794-95)
The actor Sakata Hangoro III in the role of the villain Fujikawa Mizuemon
A design from the play Hana-ayame bunroku Soga, performed at the Miyako-za, 5th month Kansei 6 (1794), signed Toshusai Sharaku ga and published by Tsutaya Jusaburo
Oban tate-e (36.6 x 24.1 cm.)

Specialist note

Mizuemon is a leading character in the play, who disappears after the murder of Ishii Hyoei. However he must confront the eldest son of Ishii Hyoei and here he is shown rolling up his sleeves in preparation for combat. His provocative stance implies he will win the contest. His grey-green kimono is decorated with the circular mon [family crest] of the actor Sakata Hangoro.

For other impressions in museum collections:

The Tokyo National Museum, go to:
http:/webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/show/E0001710

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, go to:
https://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/37331

The British Museum, go to:
http:/www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=785665=1