Toshusai Sharaku's ukiyo-e print "Ichikawa Yaozo as Takemura Sadanosuke," inspired by the play "Koi Nyobo Some Wake Tazuna" (A Lover's Wife Dyed and Parted), staged in 1794. Now, in collaboration with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, this masterpiece from the museum's collection is finally being released as a BE@RBRICK.

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, is one of the foremost museums in the United States and is known for its collection of Japanese art of national treasure caliber. These works were amassed by three Americans who visited Japan after the Meiji Restoration: zoologist Edward Morse (1838-1925), physician William Bigelow (1850-1926), and art scholar Ernest Fenollosa (1853-1908). They were then systematized by Okakura Tenshin (1863-1913), who served as the curator of East Asian Art at the museum.

Among these, Bigelow's ukiyo-e collection is immense, comprising 33,264 prints. Many of these were donated to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, forming the core of the museum's Japanese collection.

Toshusai Sharaku emerged like a comet in the mid-Edo period, creating masterpieces that expressed the individuality of his subjects with novel compositions during a brief, 10-month creative span. This work, "Ichikawa Yaozo as Takemura Sadanosuke," depicts Takemura Sadanosuke, a Noh master, who is the protagonist in the climactic "Dojoji" scene of the first half of "Koi Nyobo Some Wake Tazuna," performed in May 1794 at the Kiri-za theater. Takemura Sadanosuke is a character who commits ritual suicide within the bell of Dojoji temple to atone for his daughter's illicit affair.

The actor portraying him, Ichikawa Yaozo, was the fifth generation Ichikawa Danjuro, who reached the highest rank of "Gokujo Jōkichi Murui" (meaning no actor is better) and was considered the foremost renowned actor of his time. This work, which masterfully captures his presence, is one of Sharaku's finest and is particularly famous overseas.

Ukiyo-e, with its vibrant colors and unique compositions, vividly depicted the customs and landscapes of the Edo period. We invite all who appreciate Japanese art of this era to acquire this BE@RBRICK.

BE@RBRICK Boston Museum Toshusai Sharaku "Ichikawa Yaozo as Takemura Sadanosuke" 100% & 400%
Size | Approx. 70mm / 280mm each
How to Purchase | Pre-orders will be accepted from Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 0:00 to Saturday, August 10, 2024, 23:59.MCT TOKYOWe will be accepting pre-orders.
Release Date | Scheduled for release and shipping in January 2025 at MEDICOM TOY's directly managed stores, online stores, and other select retailers.
Price | ¥16,500 (tax included)
Photograph ©️ 2024 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.
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