The Third Sawamura Sojuro as a Man Standing with Feet Spread Widely Apart 1785 - 1805

"The Third Sawamura Sojuro as a Man Standing with Feet Spread Widely Apart," a woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei (1762-1819), portrays the renowned kabuki actor Sawamura Sojuro in a dramatic pose, his feet spread wide apart, his arms crossed, and his gaze intense. The print, created between 1785 and 1805, exemplifies the "yakusha-e" genre, which focuses on depicting kabuki actors. Shun'ei's meticulous detail captures Sojuro's distinctive features and the elaborate costumes of the Edo period, offering a glimpse into the vibrant theatrical world of 18th-century Japan. This print, now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a testament to Shun'ei's skill as a master printmaker and his ability to capture the energy and dynamism of the kabuki stage.