Sharaku Woodblock Print – Actor Nakamura Shikan I (中村芝翫) | Japanese Ukiyo-e Kabuki Portrait Reproduction

A powerful ukiyo-e portrait of Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan I, created by the mysterious Edo-period master Tōshūsai Sharaku (東洲斎写楽).
This striking yakusha-e (actor print) captures the performer in the role of a courtesan, with Sharaku’s signature bold outlines, expressive realism, and minimalist background.

Printed in the mid-20th century using traditional woodblock techniques on handmade washi, this edition faithfully recreates the textures and colors of the original 1794 masterpiece.
Sharaku’s work remains unmatched in its psychological intensity and dramatic presence — a timeless fusion of art, theater, and emotion.

In the Edo period, ukiyo-e artists immortalized Kabuki stars in dynamic and expressive portraits known as yakusha-e.
Unlike idealized beauty prints, Sharaku’s portraits show raw human expression, making him a revolutionary figure in Japanese art.
His brief, enigmatic career (1794–1795) gave rise to some of the most sought-after works in the world of Japanese printmaking.

Sharaku’s portraits are among the most collectible ukiyo-e works in the world, admired for their powerful realism and influence on modern art.
This fine reproduction preserves the spirit of Edo Kabuki theater — a dramatic and elegant statement piece for any Japanese art collection or interior display.