Ōtani Oniji was a renowned Kabuki actor. This artwork, a woodblock print created by Sharaku in 1794 during the Edo period, is one of his most celebrated masterpieces. We have meticulously woven Ōtani's fierce expression, as he appears ready to pounce on his opponent, using precise deformations to capture his menacing gaze.
Although Sharaku's work left a strong and unique impression when it was first released, it was not well received at the time. The reasons seemed to lie in the unnatural depiction of the hands and the imbalance between the face and body.
Sharaku, whose full name was Tōshūsai Sharaku, was a mid-Edo period ukiyo-e artist (his exact birth and death dates remain unknown). Between May 1794 and January 1795, he produced over 145 works before mysteriously disappearing, earning him the title of the "enigmatic ukiyo-e master." In Japan, numerous books have been published, and movies, TV dramas, and musicals have been produced to explore the mystery of Sharaku's identity.
Display this masterpiece in your room, study, living room, office, or shop, and admire its beauty.
It’s sure to be a conversation piece you'll be proud to show off to your guests.
