Iwai Hanshirō IV as Kōtō no Naishi 1795

This ukiyo-e woodblock print, created in 1795 by the enigmatic artist Tōshūsai Sharaku, depicts the kabuki actor Iwai Hanshirō IV as the character Kōtō no Naishi. Sharaku, who appeared and disappeared from the art scene with surprising speed, is known for his powerful, expressive portraits of kabuki actors. This print, with its stark black lines and dramatic pose, captures the actor’s intensity and presence on stage, a testament to Sharaku’s ability to convey character with remarkable force. The print's subject, Kōtō no Naishi, is a fictional character from the play "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees," a popular subject for ukiyo-e artists.