Omiya Kinsha (The actor Nakayama Tomisaburo I as Ohide, wife of Sazanami Tatsugoro [actually Teriha, younger sister of Abe no Sadato]) 1794

This 1794 woodblock print, "Omiya Kinsha," by Tōshūsai Sharaku, depicts Nakayama Tomisaburo I, a celebrated kabuki actor, playing the role of Ohide. The portrait captures a striking and exaggerated representation of a woman, with her face and body rendered in a bold, expressive style. This is characteristic of Sharaku's work, which often focused on portraying the dramatic and theatrical qualities of actors. Sharaku's unique and short-lived artistic career, lasting only from 1794 to 1795, resulted in a collection of compelling portraits of kabuki actors, considered a vital element of Japanese art history and the Ukiyo-e genre.