Actor Nakayama Tomisaburō I as Ohisa, Wife of Sazanami Tatsugorō, Actually Teriha, the Younger Sister of Abe Sadatō (hosoban) 1794

Tōshūsai Sharaku's woodblock print depicts the actor Nakayama Tomisaburō I as Ohisa. Note the field of grass in the background, which is not merely decorative, but symbolic of the play’s broader themes of betrayal and vengeance. Consider the role of costume and posture in conveying the character’s inner turmoil. The actor’s elaborate garb belies a deeper emotional unrest, a tension between outward appearance and inner truth. This duality is a recurring motif in art history, echoing in Shakespearean drama, and even in the works of Freud, where the subconscious often betrays the conscious self. The anguished expression and dramatic pose suggest a figure caught in a moment of profound psychological distress. Just as Laocoön's struggle with the serpent embodies human suffering, so too does Ohisa’s stance convey a sense of inner conflict. Observe how the image's emotional resonance transcends cultural boundaries, inviting viewers to contemplate the universal themes of identity, deception, and the complex interplay between appearance and reality.