Sharaku (1794-1795)

Toshusai Sharaku, one of the three recognised masters of Japanese woodblock prints alongside Hokusai and Utamaro, remains an elusive figure in art history, with virtually no verifiable details known about his life, including his birth and death dates. Sharaku's career was remarkably short, spanning just 10 months from May 1794 to February 1795, during which he produced a significant body of work, all published by the notable Tsutaya Juzaburo. His production abruptly ended in the first month of 1795, leaving behind a legacy of profound, albeit brief, influence on Japanese art.

Sharaku specialised in yakusha-e, or portraits of kabuki actors, distinguishing himself from contemporaries by his bold approach to realism. His compositions were characterised by dynamic poses and a level of detail that highlighted the physical imperfections of his subjects, such as creased eyes and sagging skin. This stark realism diverged sharply from the idealised beauty portrayed by other artists of the time, such as Utamaro, and was not well-received by the public. Sharaku’s readiness to depict unflattering details was revolutionary but led to the cessation of his artistic output due to lack of public appreciation.

The mystery of Sharaku's identity and sudden emergence in the art world without any apparent formal apprenticeship has intrigued scholars and researchers. Over the years, various theories have been proposed regarding his true identity; these range from him being an obscure poet, a Noh actor named Saito Jurobei, or even potentially the ukiyo-e master Hokusai. Despite extensive speculation and investigation, Sharaku’s identity remains one of the great enigmas of art history. His works, however, continue to be celebrated in major museums globally, such as the British Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Tokyo National Museum, highlighting his enduring impact on the world of Japanese woodblock printing.

Signature: Tōshūsai Sharaku ga