The Actor Ōtani Tomoemon in the Role of Ono Sadakurō, from the series Image of Actors on Stage 1785 - 1805

This ukiyo-e woodblock print, created between 1785 and 1805 by Utagawa Toyokuni I, depicts the renowned actor Ōtani Tomoemon portraying the character Ono Sadakurō. The dynamic composition captures the actor’s dramatic performance in a scene of heavy rain. This work is part of Toyokuni’s celebrated "Image of Actors on Stage" series, renowned for its vivid portrayal of Kabuki theater. The detailed rendering of the actor’s expression and the use of bold lines and colors make the work a powerful representation of Japanese theatrical tradition.