Kabuki Actor Bandō Mitsugorō II as Soga Gorō Tokimune 1794

This ukiyo-e woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts Kabuki actor Bandō Mitsugorō II as Soga Gorō Tokimune. The actor is portrayed in a dynamic pose, his red robe flowing as he grasps a lantern in mid-air, creating a striking contrast against the detailed patterned fabric of his trousers. The bold, almost cartoonish lines and dramatic expression, characteristic of Sharaku's style, heighten the intensity and dynamism of the scene, capturing the captivating theatricality of Kabuki performance in 18th-century Japan.