Who Was Toshusai Sharaku? The “Mystery Artist” Who Vanished After Ten Months: Major Actor Prints, Theories on His Identity, and Where to See Them

Toshusai Sharaku was an ukiyo-e artist of the late Edo period. In May 1794 he made a sudden debut with 28 okubi-e, close-up portraits of kabuki actors, published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, and vanished about ten months later, in the first month of the following year. His actor prints, which exaggerate features while capturing each actor’s personality and even inner feelings, came to be highly regarded abroad in the 20th century. Here is a guide to the works of this “mystery artist,” whose dates of birth and death are unknown, and where to see them today.

Who was Toshusai Sharaku? An artist who left more than 140 prints in about ten months

Sharaku’s work first appeared in May 1794: 28 lavish large-format okubi-e portraits based on the summer productions of Edo’s three major kabuki theaters, with black mica powder printed into the background, all released at once by Tsutaya Juzaburo’s firm Koshodo. There had been no mica-ground actor prints before, and they drew attention along with their bold likenesses.

He kept publishing prints to match theater productions, but his output stopped after the first month of 1795. Some 140-odd prints by him are known to survive. His career is divided into four periods according to the productions he depicted:

• First period (May 1794): 28 large-format okubi-e actor portraits with black mica grounds, including many of his best-known works.

• Second period (from July 1794): 38 prints, all full-length actor portraits.

• Third period (from November 1794): The largest group, with 58 actor prints, more of them showing stage settings in the background; sumo prints also appear.

• Fourth period (first month of 1795): About ten actor prints, after which his work ceased.

Major works

“Otani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei” (1794)

A first-period print showing the villain Edobei thrusting out both hands at the moment he tries to snatch money. It is among the best known of all Sharaku’s works.

“Ichikawa Ebizo as Takemura Sadanoshin” (1794)

From the same play, it depicts Ichikawa Ebizo (Ichikawa Danjuro V) as Takemura Sadanoshin, a noh actor who commits ritual suicide to take responsibility for a scandal. Even the wrinkles of the face are drawn, conveying the dignity of a leading actor.

“Segawa Tomisaburo II as Yadorigi, Wife of Ogishi Kurando” (1794)

A first-period print of the female-role actor Segawa Tomisaburo II, capturing his long face and angular jaw. It is one of the works designated Important Cultural Properties.

Who was Sharaku really?

Nothing is known of Sharaku’s dates or background, and more than 20 candidates have been proposed for his identity. In recent years, the leading theory has been that he was Saito Jurobei, a noh actor in the service of the Tokushima domain in Awa. Sharaku became known worldwide after the German researcher Julius Kurth published his study “Sharaku” in 1910.

Where to see Sharaku’s work

• Sapporo Art Museum (Minami Ward, Sapporo): The touring exhibition “Five Great Ukiyo-e Artists,” featuring works by Utamaro, Sharaku, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi, runs until January 11, 2027. The organizers highlight the 15 works by Sharaku on display.

• Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka (Kita Ward, Osaka): “The British Museum Collection of Japanese Art: Hyakka Ryoran – Edo Painting Across the Sea” runs until January 31, 2027, with prints by eight ukiyo-e artists including Sharaku (article on the exhibition).

• Tokyo National Museum (Ueno, Tokyo): Ukiyo-e are shown in rotation, and Sharaku’s works are on view at times. Check the official website for upcoming displays.

There are also installations that let you experience ukiyo-e as moving images. The “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition GIFU” at the Gifu City Museum of History (until January 11, 2027) creates video spaces based on more than 300 ukiyo-e by Hokusai, Hiroshige and others, and the permanent “Ukiyoe Immersive Art Museum GINZA,” scheduled to open in Ginza, Tokyo, in spring 2027, takes Sharaku’s work as a subject alongside Hokusai, Utamaro and others (article on the opening). Utamaro, who also worked with Tsutaya Juzaburo, is covered in our guide to Kitagawa Utamaro.

Frequently asked questions

What are Sharaku’s most famous works?

Many of his best-known works, such as “Otani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei,” “Ichikawa Ebizo as Takemura Sadanoshin” and “Segawa Tomisaburo II as Yadorigi, Wife of Ogishi Kurando,” are among the 28 mica-ground okubi-e actor portraits released in May 1794.

How long was Sharaku active?

About ten months, from May 1794 to the first month of the following year. Some 140-odd prints from that period are known to survive.

Who was Sharaku?

No one knows for certain. More than 20 candidates have been proposed, but in recent years the leading theory has been that he was Saito Jurobei, a noh actor in the service of the Tokushima domain in Awa.

Where can I see Sharaku’s work?

At “Five Great Ukiyo-e Artists” at the Sapporo Art Museum (until January 11, 2027) and “The British Museum Collection of Japanese Art: Hyakka Ryoran” at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka (until January 31, 2027). The Tokyo National Museum also shows ukiyo-e in rotation.

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: The “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition GIFU” and the “Ukiyoe Immersive Art Museum GINZA” introduced in this article are, respectively, an event planned and produced by and a facility produced by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE (About us).

For the latest information on events by HITOHATA, INC., see HITOHATA, INC.’s event page.

*Top image: Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition GIFU (from a press release by TV Aichi Broadcasting Co., Ltd.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements from museums and organizers (as of November 9, 2026) and general art-historical knowledge of Toshusai Sharaku.