Ukiyotani Oniji III In The Role Of The Servant Edobei

Art in the Renaissance era was very influential; this period experienced changes in art, new forms of artistic entertainment were introduced, and new techniques were developing. In Japan, a new style of artwork was beginning to blossom and grow in popularity: Ukiyo-e, “Pictures of the floating world.” Typical Ukiyo-e portrayed images of the earth and the arts. One artist, Toshusai Sharaku, was part of this movement, and he was active for less than a year. He created over four-hundred Ukiyo-e prints of Kabuki characters and courtesans. One of these pieces is titled Ōtani Oniji III in the Role of the Servant Edobei. Though this piece was not well received at the time of its creation, it is one of the most popular Ukiyo-e prints to date. The piece Ōtani Oniji III in the Role of the Servant Edobei is a Ukiyo-e pice by Toshusai Sharaku. Toshusai Sharaku is a particular mystery among historians as he seemed to master the technique of Ukiyo-e without apprenticeship, and his true identity was never found. Due to his mastery, some speculate he was the artist of The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, Hokusai, or a poet, or a Noh theater actor. Ōtani Oniji III in the Role of the Servant Edobei was created in 1794. The exact location of its creation is unknown. Currently, the piece can be located at the National Tokyo Museum in Tokyo, Japan.
Kabuki theater was growing in popularity around the same time Ukiyo-e was, so Kabuki actors were popular subjects for Ukiyo-e. This print is also a Nishiki-e, which is a Ukiyo-e print with color, as older pieces were typically black and white. The print itself portrays a man dressed in Japanese garb. The character is leaning forward slightly with his arms partially extended, and his face is shown to be expressive. This print is meant to depict Kabuki actor Otani Oniji III acting an intense