Vintage Japanese Woodblock Print by Toshusai Sharaku Kabuki Actors c. Presented is a beautiful Japanese full oban-size woodblock print created by the renowned artist of the Edo period, Toshusai Sharaku fl. Bando Zenji as Onisadobo, a Namazu-bozu, or priest who looks like a catfish, and Sawamura Yodogoro II as Kawatsura Hogen, in the episode called “Yoshitsune senbon-zakura, ” which was played as the finale. The print was made using the traditional Japanese woodblock technique. It is signed with his full name (“Toshusai ga”, or painted by Toshusai). There is also Kyoto hanga-in Shinagawa-ban (Kyoto Print Institute Shinagawa Edition) publisher’s seal and a carver’s seal on the print verso. There is very little known about Sharaku – his identity is a mystery. Some say he was a Kabuki actor himself who became an artist in woodblock printing, creating portraits of his fellow artists. But this is just a speculation; in fact, nobody knows his real name and the dates of his birth or death. He was active for 10 months of 1794 – 1795, and then he mysteriously disappeared from the printing world. He created just about 150 prints and sketches (for example, Kunisada created about 20,000), and they are all highly recognizable, showing lots of character and humor. The Sharaku prints by the publisher Kyoto Hanga-In are the most authentic later edition prints of the original works, even surpassing those of the renowned publisher Takamizawa. The dark, thick mica background is not overly “glossy” like other editions, and the simulation of cracked mica by heavy embossing is very realistic. AUTHOR: Toshusai Sharaku TITLE: “Kabuki actors Bando Zenji and Sawamura Yodogoro”? CREATED: c. Paper METHOD OF PRINTING: Woodblock printing PRINTED: c. Mid-1900 PUBLISHER: Kyoto hanga-in Shinagawa-ban (Kyoto Print Institute Shinagawa Edition) OVERALL FRAME SIZE: 19.25″ by 13.25″ PRINT SIZE: Oban 15.25″ X 10″ incl. The condition is excellent. There is some very minor toning, no foxing, and no losses. The print is framed in a modern, excellent-quality metal frame. The frame is in excellent condition as well. Get images that make Supersized seem small. Track Page Views With.