Art Archive • Sharaku
Ukiyo-e
Ōkubi-e
Bandō Mitsugorō II as Ishii Genzō in the Play Hana-ayame Bunroku Soga
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Tōshūsai Sharaku. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (public domain).
About this work
Ishii Genzō from Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga — youthful refinement and underlying tension held in one mica-ground face.
Bandō Mitsugorō II plays Ishii Genzō in Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga. Sharaku finds drama in the coexistence of polish and unease.
Viewing notes
Look for the contrast between smooth skin areas and sharply inked hairline.
Pair with other wakashū-type roles to see Sharaku’s range within "young male."
The kirazuri ground should read as depth, not decoration — check under raking light.
Extended Japanese viewing notes: 二世坂東三津五郎の石井源蔵.