Artist

Toshusai Sharaku  東洲斎写楽   

 (Date of birth and death unknown)  

Late 1700s to early 1800s

Japanese Woodblock Print  Name 

Takemura Sadanoshin of Ichikawa Ebizo　

市川鰕蔵の竹村定之進 - Unsodo edition 

Toshusai Sharaku is a mysterious artist who painted over 140 works in just 10 months before suddenly disappearing.

His 28 large-head paintings, which depict only the upper half of actors' bodies, are his signature works.

This painting depicts Ichikawa Ebizo playing Takemura Sadanoshin in "Koinyobo Somewake Tezuna," which was performed at the Kawarazakiza Theater in May 1794 (6th year of the Kansei era).

This is an extremely rare piece released from the publisher's storehouse,

created in 2009 using the original woodblock and by the late, famous,

genius Kyoto printer, Ueba Toru (1953-2011).

There are only a limited number left.
This is a piece that will be difficult to produce in the future.

Master Ueba Toru

(1953～2011)

Printer Ueha Toru's craftsmanship
This woodblock print uses black mica (kira) for the background.
(Mica (kira): A group of silicate minerals that contain potassium as the main component.
It is called "kira" in the past because it has a strong luster and reflects light in a sparkling way.)

The woodblock is then kneaded.
Mix the mica into the paint.
The paint is applied to the solid board (the woodblock for the background) and printed.
The figure is molded.
The printing process is difficult, so there are very few craftsmen who can do it,

and it is very valuable, and its value is completely different from that of Takemura Sadanoshin of Ichikawa Ebizo, which is sold in other markets.

*Kneading process
The mold is placed over the part where the figure is printed, and the background is folded and kneaded by hand.
If the figure is folded, it is smoothed out with a brush.
Fold, knead, smooth out with a brush. This process is repeated over and over again until the piece is complete.
After the woodblock printing, a mind-numbing amount of manual work is carried out repeatedly,
to create a process that makes the figures stand out in the same way as they were printed in the Edo period.
This rare and extremely powerful work by the late genius printer Ueha Toru is a valuable and rare item that we hope you, a fan of woodblock prints who appreciates its value, will enjoy.

Approx.  Image Size 

Height 38.50 cm  x Width 25.00 cm

(H 15.157 " x  W 9.842 ")

Condition  

Only perfect condition one.　

Never rolled up.

Never framed, kept in professional condition.

Color 

Refer to our Pictures

The color of the actual Woodblock Print may be slightly different

from the images on our pictures.

It is impossible to show the actual color of

these fine art of woodblock prints and texture of Washi Paper.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE: FRAME IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRODUCT.