A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Otani Tokuji in the Role of Footman Sodesuke" by Toshusai Sharaku. Comes from a rare Collection of 24 Masterpieces by Sharaku. Produced & published by Shuei-Sha, Tokyo, in September, 1964. Printers: Toppan Printing Co., LTD. Printed on one side. Attached at the top to a board of heavy textured paper, covered with lighter sheet of paper for protection, numbered 3 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, minor age wear on the cover, never framed, ready to be framed. Copy of the commentary by Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi (below) in Japanese and English is included. Overall (folded) 12.50"W x 18.25"H Overall (unfolded) 25"W x 18.25"H Image 9.90"W x 14.95"H Commentary by Ukiyo-e Art consultant & editor Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi: Signature: signed Toshusai Sharaku Printers: Tsutaya Juzaburo (with a seal) In the possession of Tokyo National Museum Actor Otani Tokuji playing his favorite part of a court jester who appears in the play quoted in the preceding two plates (prints). The hand raising the sword, the expressive left fist thrustng itself from his Kimono's breast fold, and the clownish drooping tail of the eye, produce the sense of a sound and free personality. This picture is significant in its perfect grasp of the acting style of Otani Tokuji. Compared with print "Actor Bando Mitsugoro in the Role of Ishii Genzo", the number of colors engaged is not numerous - the vermillion of the sword sheath, the yellow sword knot, and the red shadow make-up of the features - but the picture carried about it an air of great gaiety. It comes from the incisive drawing lines, and the aptness and vitality of the figures. An artist usually chooses with great care the spot on the canvas where he leaves his signature. This plate is a typical example of that. Some prints of this picture carry an added inscription of the name of the actor depicted.