This was created in connection with the play “Keisei Sambon Karakasa” (Courtezan’s Three Umbrellas) staged at Miyakola in July 1794. This is one of the seven full-length double figure pictures in large sheets SHARAKU did during his second production period.
The play concerns the household disturbance of Shogun Ashikaga in the medieval age. The play’s principals—Nagoya Sanza and his favorite courtezan Katsuragi—are pictured in this unique composition.
Sojuro as Sanza stands and Segawa Kikunojo’s Katsuragi is seated, which imparts the picture a sense of stability. The multi-colored clothes of both figures are set off by the white-mica background, making this a resplendent Kabuki picture. The actors’ faces do not have the expressiveness of his first production period pieces, but a full-length figure taking in two figures in one sheet is something one cannot find in the first period and it gives one a chance to see SHARAKU’s versatile compositional power.
