Art Archive • Sharaku
Ukiyo-e
Ōkubi-e
Ichikawa Omezō I in the Role of Yakko Ippei from the Play Koinyōbō somewake tazuna
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Tōshūsai Sharaku. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (public domain).
About this work
A young servant from The Colored Reins of a Loving Wife — youthful yakko energy captured in bold ōkubi-e cropping.
Ichikawa Omezō I appears as the young servant Ippei in The Colored Reins of a Loving Wife. Sharaku treats youth itself as a dramatic type.
Viewing notes
Notice how Sharaku balances softness of age with the sharp geometry of kabuki makeup.
Place this yakko beside Edobei’s fury to see two temperaments in one play.
Zoom the mica surface for the subtle sparkle that separates kirazuri from flat ink.
Extended Japanese viewing notes: 初代市川男女蔵の奴一平.