Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Kujaku Saburō Narihira 1794

Tōshūsai Sharaku’s *Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Kujaku Saburō Narihira* (1794) is a striking ukiyo-e woodblock print. The artist’s unique style, known for its bold lines and exaggerated features, is evident in this portrait of the famous kabuki actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III. Sharaku’s prints are characterized by their striking realism and dramatic intensity, often capturing the actors in mid-performance. The actor’s intense gaze and the dramatic pose convey the energy of the theater, a popular form of entertainment in Edo-era Japan.