# Tōshūsai Sharaku

Japanese

Sharaku remains one of the puzzles of Japanese art. Within about ten months in 1794–95 he designed some 140 portraits of kabuki actors for the publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō, then disappeared from the record. His early bust portraits, set against dark mica grounds, exaggerate features and expressions with startling frankness. His identity is still debated, though many scholars favour a Noh actor named Saitō Jūrōbei.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

8 works in the collection.

- [The actor Ichikawa Omezo as the manservant Ippei](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-actor-ichikawa-omezo-as-the-manservant-ippei-aic-18750), Tōshūsai Sharaku, 1794. Courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.
- [The actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Osan, Ippei’s elder sister](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-actor-osagawa-tsuneyo-ii-as-osan-ippei-s-elder-sister-aic-87259), Tōshūsai Sharaku, 1794. Courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.
- [The Actor Segawa Tomisaburo II as the Otomos' Maid Wakakusa, Actually Prince Korehito](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-actor-segawa-tomisaburo-ii-as-the-otomos-maid-wakakusa-a-met-37180), Tōshūsai Sharaku, 1794–75. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- [Ichikawa Ebizo IV in the role of Takemura Sadanoshin](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/ichikawa-ebizo-iv-in-the-role-of-takemura-sadanoshin-met-37181), Tōshūsai Sharaku, Probably late 1880s or early 1890s. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- [Matsumoto Koshiro IV as the Fish Peddler Gorobei](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/matsumoto-koshiro-iv-as-the-fish-peddler-gorobei-met-37182), Tōshūsai Sharaku, Probably late 1880s or early 1890s. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- [Kabuki Actor Ōtani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/kabuki-actor-otani-oniji-iii-as-yakko-edobei-met-37358), Tōshūsai Sharaku, 1794. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- [Segawa Tomisaburō II as Yadorigi in the Play "Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga"](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/segawa-tomisaburo-ii-as-yadorigi-in-the-play-hana-ayame-bunr-met-37366), Tōshūsai Sharaku, 1794. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- [The Actor Onoye Matsusuke as a Ronin](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-actor-onoye-matsusuke-as-a-ronin-met-56046), Tōshūsai Sharaku. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.