Sharaku

Toshusai Sharaku was more than just an ukiyoe master. He was, and to a large extent remains, a mystery. Appearing on the ukiyoe scene in May 1794, it took him just 10 months to produce around 140 woodblock prints - many of them now considered classics - before vanishing, apparently into thin air. To this day, so little is known about him that his very existence is the matter of study and debate (some believe he was actually a collective of artists, while others think he was actually the equally great Hokusai in disguise). Regardless of who he was, however, his work is on display this spring at the Tokyo National Gallery, with pictures sourced and brought in from around the world, including selections from the Kabuki actor series, for which he is perhaps best known.