Tōshūsai Sharaku

Tōshūsai Sharaku (active period - 1794 - 1795) was a Japanese ukiyo-e print designer. He depicted the Kabuki actors on woodblock prints. The dates of his birth and his death are not known. His works consist of fewer than 160 prints, chiefly of actors. They are very dynamic, with unflattering details. He became popular when his works appeared in Europe.

Ōtani Oniji III in the Role of the Servant Edobei, nishiki-e colour print, 1794

After 1795 Sharaku quit his career and suddenly disappeared. Nodoby knows the exact circumstances.

Style

Sharaku characters have facial expression. Sharaku focused on the actor's psychology.