The actors Ichikawa Tomiemon as Kanisaka Toma and Sanogawa Ichimatsu III as the Gion Prostitute Onayo - Tōshūsai Sharaku

A 1794 woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku featuring kabuki actors Ichikawa Tomiemon and Sanogawa Ichimatsu III in a character study.

This woodblock print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts two kabuki actors, Ichikawa Tomiemon and Sanogawa Ichimatsu III, in their respective roles as Kanisaka Toma and the Gion prostitute Onayo. 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 departure from the idealised portraits common in the ukiyo-e genre of the time. Instead, he employed a style of caricature that exaggerated the physical features and expressions of his subjects.

In this composition, the two figures are positioned in close proximity against a mica-dusted background, a technique that provides a subtle, metallic sheen to the print. The actor on the right, Ichikawa Tomiemon, is rendered with a heavy jawline and wide, staring eyes, capturing a moment of dramatic tension. To his left, Sanogawa Ichimatsu III, appearing in an onnagata role, is depicted with a more delicate facial structure and elaborate hair styling. The contrast between the two figures creates a psychological dynamic that defines Sharaku's approach to actor portraiture.

The print demonstrates the artist's focus on the individuality of the performer rather than the character alone. By stripping away decorative excess, Sharaku directs the viewer toward the raw emotion of the stage. The use of bold, clean lines and a restrained colour palette allows the facial expressions to dominate the visual field. This print remains a primary example of the artist's ability to capture the fleeting nature of kabuki performance through the medium of woodblock printing.