Kabuki Actor Sakata Hangorō III as Kosodate Kannonbō 1794

Tōshūsai Sharaku, a renowned Japanese ukiyo-e artist, created this woodblock print in 1794, capturing the Kabuki actor Sakata Hangorō III as Kosodate Kannonbō. The print utilizes bold lines and stark contrasts, highlighting the actor's dramatic facial expressions and powerful physique. Sharaku's intense and dynamic style, characterized by a focus on realism, made him a celebrated figure in the world of Japanese art. The print's subject, Sakata Hangorō III, was famous for his roles as strong and defiant characters, which Sharaku skillfully conveyed in this captivating work.