Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Komazō III as Shiga Daishichi in the Play A Medley of Tales of Revenge (Katakiuchi noriaibanashi) 1794

This woodblock print, now in the Metropolitan Museum, depicts Kabuki actor Ichikawa Komazō III. Here, Tōshūsai Sharaku masterfully captures a moment of intense emotion through stark lines and subtle color gradations. The actor’s gaze is directed to the side, framed by a sharp, angular nose. His eyes, lined in red, convey a sense of tension. The tight lines of his mouth suggest a controlled rage. Sharaku’s composition pushes the figure forward, employing the dark background as a void that amplifies the actor's presence. Note the graphic quality of the print, where flat planes of color define form. The actor's robe, rendered in solid black, contrasts with the patterned sword handle, adding depth. Sharaku’s artistic approach is a study in the power of reduction, transforming a fleeting expression into a lasting study of human emotion.