Otani Tokuji as the Servant Sodesuke in Flowering Irises: A Soga Vendetta of the Bunroku Era
Medium
color woodblock print
Dimensions
36.2 × 25.2 cm
Classification
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore
Accession Number
1930.206
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
male
About this artwork
The actor portrays a servant in the play Blooming Iris: Soga Vendetta, which opened at the Miyako Theater in June 1794. The play relates a 12th-century story about brothers who avenge the death of their murdered father. The clenched fist and mouth express the character’s determination. Sharaku is mentioned in the most important biographical resource for actors compiled during the Kansai era (1789-1801). Since Sharaku’s career was so short, the text may reflect public reaction to his portraits: "...