Arashi Kitsusaburô I als Sasaki Takatsuna 1821

This ukiyo-e woodblock print, created in 1821 by the artist Shunkōsai Hokushū, depicts Arashi Kitsusaburô I as Sasaki Takatsuna. It is a portrait of the kabuki actor Arashi Kitsusaburô I, portraying the warrior Sasaki Takatsuna, a character from a popular kabuki play. This print is a striking example of Hokushū's skill in capturing the dramatic expressions of kabuki actors and the intricate details of their costumes, a signature characteristic of the ukiyo-e genre. The work, currently held in the Rijksmuseum, embodies the vibrant and expressive style of Japanese woodblock printing of the Edo period.