SHARAKU 東洲斎写楽 若村俵蔵の鷲塚八平次 The Actor Tanimura Torazō as Washizuka Hachiheiji Ukiyo-e Reproduction | Edo Kabuki Art

About the Artwork:
This powerful ukiyo-e print is a reproduction of “The Actor Tanimura Torazō as Washizuka Hachiheiji” (若村俵蔵の鷲塚八平次), a striking portrait by Tōshūsai Sharaku (active 1794–1795), one of Japan’s most mysterious and revered woodblock print masters.

Sharaku’s dramatic depiction captures the kabuki actor’s intense expression and psychological tension in a moment of theatrical energy. The sharp lines, bold colors, and exaggerated features reveal Sharaku’s mastery of emotion and realism — radically different from the idealized style of his contemporaries.

Cultural and Historical Significance:
Appearing for only about ten months in Edo’s art scene, Sharaku produced some of the most psychologically compelling images in ukiyo-e history. His portraits of kabuki actors, including this one, are considered revolutionary for their expressive realism and daring composition.

This reproduction was published by The Yomiuri Shimbun in collaboration with the Honolulu Academy of Arts, whose collection preserves the original. The reverse side includes bilingual historical commentary and exhibition details, making this a museum-quality collector’s print.

Why It’s Special:

• Faithful reproduction of one of Sharaku’s rare actor portraits

• From the Honolulu Academy of Arts collection

• Printed on archival paper with historical background

• Captures the intensity and dynamism of Edo kabuki theater

• A valuable collectible for lovers of Japanese art and history

A dramatic masterpiece of expression and emotion — Sharaku’s Washizuka Hachiheiji is a timeless symbol of kabuki’s theatrical soul and Edo’s artistic innovation.