Japanese print Sharaku

Very beautiful and rare print representing the portrait of the actor otani tokuji playing the role of sodesuke, after toshusai sharaku, nineteenth century, color woodcut - principle of the traditional japanese print called mokuhanga of the floating world: the ukiyo-e - on handmade japan paper, mica background (kirazuri), japan. Signed in the lower right plate and bearing the round stamp of censorship (kiwame) as well as the seal of the publisher tsatuya juzaburo, the three marks are in black ink. Dimensions: 38cm X 25, 5cm: traditional oban format. Our image is an engraving from 1794, but this reprint on japanese paper was made in the nineteenth century. It depicts a scene from a program of kabuki, japanese theater, entitled hanaayame bunroku soga: the iris blooming, the soga brothers of the bunroku era, 5th month of 1794. Beautiful bright colors and well-mastered technique of mokuhanga (see the micassé background), this work will delight all lovers of japanese prints who are looking for a rare print of a highly sought-after artist. Work file available on request.