Sharaku Interpreted by Japan's Contemporary Artists

The subject of this exhibition is the famous Edo-period ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artist Sharaku Toshusai, who is known for his inimitable bust portraits of Kabuki actors. Included in the exhibition are 28 of Sharaku’s bust portraits (reproductions); 28 posters by graphic designers; and 23 paintings, sculptures, ceramics and woodblock prints by contemporary artists who have reinterpreted Sharaku using a combination of fluid ideas and definitive expressions.


catalog (PDF:410KB)

This touring exhibition is completed.

Fiscal Year 2015 - 2016

  • March 1 - 30, 2016
    New Exhibition Hall of City Sculpture Museum (St.Petersburg, Russia)
  • January 23 - February 14, 2016
    Novosibirsk City Center of Fine Arts (Novosibirsk, Russia)
  • December 3, 2015 - January 10, 2016
    Ryazan State Regional Art Museum named after I.P. Pojalostin (Ryazan, Russia)
  • October 13 - November 3, 2015
    Reykjavik City Hall (Reykjavik, Iceland)
  • August 7 - 27, 2015
    International Culture Center Caisa (Helsinki,Finland)
  • April 7 - 26, 2015
    Old city hall (Split, Croatia)

See past exhibition schedule

Ukiyoe by Sharaku titled Otani Oniji III as the Servant Edohei
Otani Oniji III as the Servant Edohei

Ukiyoe by Sharaku titled Nakajima Wadaemon as Bodara Chozaemon, and Nakamura Konozo as Gon of the Kanagawa-ya
Sharaku Toshusai: Nakajima Wadaemon as Bodara Chozaemon, and Nakamura Konozo as Gon of the Kanagawa-ya

Poster by Kiyoshi Awazu for SHARAKU elements Festival
Kiyoshi Awazu: "SHARAKU elements"Festival

Self portrait by Yasumasa Morimura titled Sharaku 3- after Bodara and Gon
Yasumasa Morimura: Self-
portrait,“Sharaku”3- after Bodara and Gon

Poster by Tadanori Yokoo titled SHARAKU
Tadanori Yokoo : SHARAKU

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