Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Ebizō (Ichikawa Danjūrō V) in the play The Colored Reins of a Loving Wife (Koi nyōbō somewake tazuna) 1794

Tōshūsai Sharaku created this striking woodblock print of Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizō around 1794. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a complex, collaborative process involving the artist, the carver, the printer, and the publisher. The key block, often of cherry wood, defined the image. Additional blocks were carved for each color, applied in layers, building up the final composition. The texture of the paper is also important, affecting how the ink is absorbed and how the colors appear. Sharaku was known for his intense, unflattering portraits of Kabuki actors, capturing not just their likeness but also the drama of their roles. His prints were aimed at a growing urban audience interested in theater and celebrity culture. The efficiency of woodblock printing allowed for mass production, making art accessible to a wider public. This print thus reflects a moment when artistic creativity met emerging modes of production and consumption.