The Actor Arashi Rikaku II as Isogai Tōsuke - Hasegawa Sadanobu

A classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Hasegawa Sadanobu, depicting the kabuki actor Arashi Rikaku II in a dramatic, heroic role.

This woodblock print by Hasegawa Sadanobu depicts the kabuki actor Arashi Rikaku II in the role of Isogai Tōsuke. Sadanobu, a prominent figure in the Kamigata school of printmaking based in Osaka, produced this work as part of a series exploring themes of loyalty and filial piety. The print captures the actor in a moment of dramatic intensity, a hallmark of the yakusha-e (actor print) genre.

The composition focuses on the upper torso and head of the actor, who is shown gripping the hilt of a katana. His expression is one of focused determination, typical of the heroic characters found in kabuki theatre. The artist employs a bold colour palette, using deep blues for the striped kamishimo garment, which contrasts with the red background at the top of the print. The use of line is precise, defining the facial features and the intricate patterns of the costume with clarity.

In the upper right corner, a cartouche contains the series title, while the actor's name is presented in a separate cartouche to the left. These elements provide context for the viewer, identifying both the performer and the specific narrative role. The Kamigata style of this period often favoured a more realistic approach to actor portraiture compared to the more stylised works produced in Edo. This print offers a clear example of the technical skill involved in mid-nineteenth-century Japanese print production, from the carving of the woodblocks to the application of pigment on paper. The work remains a representative example of the intersection between popular theatre and visual art in the late Edo period.