Bandō Mitsugorō II as the Farmer Asakusa no Jirōsaku - Tōshūsai Sharaku

A 1794 woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku portraying the kabuki actor Bandō Mitsugorō II in a character role, noted for its expressive and unconventional style.

This woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts the kabuki actor Bandō Mitsugorō II in the role of the farmer Asakusa no Jirōsaku. Produced in 1794, the work belongs to a brief, intense period of activity for the artist, who created approximately 140 portraits of actors during his ten-month career. Sharaku is known for his departure from the idealised portrayals common in the ukiyo-e genre of the Edo period. Instead, he employed a style of caricature that exaggerated the physical features and expressions of his subjects.

The composition features the actor in a three-quarter view, his body angled to suggest movement. He wears a simple, dark red garment with a straw bundle slung over his shoulders, indicating his character's rural occupation. The artist uses bold, confident lines to define the folds of the clothing and the contours of the face. The facial expression is particularly notable, capturing a sense of psychological tension that was unconventional for the time. The background is a flat, neutral tone, which directs the viewer's attention entirely to the figure of the actor.

Sharaku's prints were published by Tsutaya Jūzaburō, a prominent figure in the Edo publishing world. While these works were not universally appreciated by contemporary audiences who preferred more flattering depictions of actors, they are now recognised for their technical skill and psychological insight. This print is a characteristic example of the artist's focus on the individual personality of the performer rather than the character alone. The use of colour is restrained, relying on the contrast between the red of the costume and the muted background to create a balanced visual effect. This piece provides a clear view into the aesthetic priorities of the late eighteenth-century Japanese theatre scene.