Otawaya: Onoe Matsusuke I as Oboshi Yuranosuke, from the series "Portraits of Actors on Stage (Yakusha butai no sugata-e)" 1795

This ukiyo-e woodblock print, created in 1795 by Utagawa Toyokuni I, depicts Onoe Matsusuke I as Oboshi Yuranosuke, a character from the kabuki play "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees." Toyokuni I, one of the most renowned ukiyo-e artists of the Edo period, captures the actor's dramatic presence through intricate line work and vibrant colors. The print, part of the series "Portraits of Actors on Stage", showcases the popularity of kabuki theater in 18th century Japan and provides insight into the artistry of theatrical costuming.