Publisher - Adachi from a rare series of Edo masterwork designs. Adachi publisher seal in margin or on reverse.

Adachi was one of the most respected publishers of the 20th century. Their woodblocks were printed to the highest standards with excellent color and fine detail. Founded in 1925, Adachi also chose interesting and varied subjects for their prints and was the only publisher of many famous old ukiyo-e images.

Comments - Fantastic Sharaku portrait of the actor Ichikawa Yaozo III in the role of Tanabe Bunzo. Having fallen on hard times, the samurai is impoverished and crippled, and he stares ahead with unseeing eyes and a look of desperation. His shoulders are slumped, his arms tightly folded across his chest, the top of his head unshaven and bristling with short hair. Sharaku beautifully captures the loneliness and despair of the young man, who will soon meet his death at the hands of a murderer. A wonderful composition with a shimmering mica background. A handsome and moving character from the kabuki play "Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga."

Artist - Sharaku (active 1794 - 1795)

Image Size - 15 1/4" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Some prints have a small, faint crease at corners. Please see photos for details. Very nice overall.