{"product_id":"the-actors-nakajima-wadaemon-and-nakamura-konozo-toshusai-sharaku","title":"The actors Nakajima Wadaemon and Nakamura Konozo - Tōshūsai Sharaku","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 1794 woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku featuring kabuki actors Nakajima Wadaemon and Nakamura Konozo in a character study.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts two kabuki actors, Nakajima Wadaemon and Nakamura Konozo, in their respective roles as Bodara Chozaemon and Gon of the boat-keeper Kanagawaya. Produced in 1794, the work belongs to the genre of yakusha-e, or actor prints, which were popular in Edo-period Japan. Sharaku is known for his departure from the idealised portraits common to his contemporaries. Instead, he employed a style of caricature that exaggerated the facial features and expressions of the performers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this composition, the two figures are positioned close together, their heads turned in profile and three-quarter view. The actor on the right, Nakamura Konozo, displays a look of concern or distress, while Nakajima Wadaemon on the left maintains a more stoic, heavy-set expression. The use of a mica background, a technique known as kira-e, provides a metallic, shimmering surface that draws focus to the figures. The colour palette is restrained, relying on muted tones of grey, red, and green to define the garments and the background. The lines are precise and calligraphic, capturing the specific physical traits of the actors as they appeared on stage. Sharaku was active for only a short period, roughly ten months, yet his output remains a distinct contribution to the history of Japanese printmaking. His approach to portraiture prioritised the psychological presence of the subject over traditional notions of beauty. This print serves as an example of his ability to convey the tension and drama inherent in kabuki theatre through a minimalist aesthetic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/evening-glow-at-ryogoku-bridge-keisai-eisen\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eEvening Glow at Ryogoku Bridge - Keisai Eisen — Keisai Eisen\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/fifty-three-stations-of-the-tokaido-inspired-by-famous-pictures-kanagawa-utagawa-kunisada\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eFifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō: Inspired by Famous Pictures (Kanagawa) - Utagawa Kunisada — Utagawa Kunisada\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Tōshūsai Sharaku","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58979575038287,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58979589292367,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58979589325135,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58979589357903,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58979589390671,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58979589423439,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58979589456207,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58979589488975,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58979589521743,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58979589554511,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58979589587279,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58979589620047,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-actors-Nakajima-Wadaemon-and-Nakamura-Konozo_Poster_CompositorV1_1790891830087.jpg?v=1790892172","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/the-actors-nakajima-wadaemon-and-nakamura-konozo-toshusai-sharaku","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}