The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao in the Play Takao Daimyojin Momiji no Tamagaki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1787 c. 1787

This ukiyo-e print by Katsukawa Shunkō, a renowned artist of the Edo period, depicts the celebrated actor Sawamura Sojuro III portraying the spirit of the courtesan Takao. The print, dating back to 1787, captures Sojuro's performance in the play "Takao Daimyojin Momiji no Tamagaki." The detailed depiction of Sojuro's elegant costume, the intricate background, and the expressive pose of the figure exemplify the captivating power of Kabuki theater, a significant art form of Japanese culture.