Sharaku (1794) Nakajima Kanzō as Negoto no Chōzō

Toshusai Sharaku was a Japanese ukiyo-e printmaker and artist who worked in the late 18th century. He produced a series of portraits of Kabuki actors which are highly regarded for their expressive power and dramatic intensity. Sharaku's prints are characterised by bold lines, strong contrasts of light and dark and a sense of psychological insight into his subjects. Despite his short career, Sharaku is considered one of the most important artists in the history of ukiyo-e and his prints are still highly sought after by collectors. However, little is known about his life and career and his true identity remains a mystery.