Osagawa Tsuneyo II as the hairdresser O-Roku - Tōshūsai Sharaku

A 1794 woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku featuring the kabuki actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II in the role of the hairdresser O-Roku.

This woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts the kabuki actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II in the role of the hairdresser O-Roku. Produced in 1794, the work belongs to a brief but intense period of activity for the artist, who created approximately 140 prints within a ten-month span. Sharaku is known for his unconventional approach to the actor portrait, often exaggerating facial features to capture the specific energy of a performance rather than an idealised likeness.

In this composition, the actor is shown in a standing pose, holding a cloth to their mouth. The figure is set against a simple shoji screen, which provides a neutral backdrop that directs attention to the actor's posture and the pattern of the kimono. The lines are precise and controlled, typical of the ukiyo-e tradition, yet the psychological tension in the expression departs from the standard conventions of the era. The colour palette is restrained, relying on muted tones of brown, black, and soft ochre, which allows the graphic quality of the striped garment to dominate the visual field.

Sharaku's work was often met with mixed reactions from contemporary audiences who were accustomed to the more flattering depictions common in the prints of the time. However, his ability to convey character through subtle shifts in expression and body language has earned him a distinct position in the history of Japanese printmaking. This print offers a glimpse into the theatrical culture of the Edo period, capturing a specific moment from a stage production with a focus on the actor's individual presence. The print retains the original publisher's marks and the artist's signature, providing a clear link to the production methods of the late eighteenth century.