Tomisaburo Nakayama, Actor Portrait by Sharaku (1794)

Tōshūsai Sharaku’s Artwork

Tōshūsai Sharaku’s 初代中山富三郎のさざなみ辰五郎女房おひで
(Tomizaburō Nakayama as “Ohide,” the wife of Sazanami Tatsugorō)

The Artwork: 初代中山富三郎のさざなみ辰五郎女房おひで

The print “近江屋錦車　初代中山富三郎のさざなみ辰五郎女房おひで” (“Omiya Kinsha: Shodai Nakayama Tomisaburō no Sazanami Tatsugorō Nyōbō Ohide”) is a woodblock print created by the elusive ukiyo-e master Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794, during the Kansei era. In this piece, Sharaku depicts Tomizaburō Nakayama as “Ohide,” the wife of Sazanami Tatsugorō—a character who is eventually revealed to be Teriha, the sister of the legendary warrior Abe no Sadatō. The work belongs to Sharaku’s “okubi-e” (large-head) series and is noted for its dramatic facial expression, nuanced posture, and detailed costuming, which powerfully convey both the character’s inner world and the transformative skill of the actor.

About Nakayama Tomisaburo

Nakayama Tomizaburō (中山富三郎, 1760–1819) was one of Edo-period kabuki’s celebrated onnagata—male actors specializing in female roles. With extraordinary grace, Tomizaburō became known for the lifelike and expressive portrayal of women on stage, captivating audiences through subtle gestures, voice control, and a refined elegance. His talent was widely recognized in major theaters of the era, and his legacy continues to exemplify the artistry and discipline of Kabuki’s gender-performance tradition.

Significance of the Portrait

The print featuring Tomizaburō Nakayama as Ohide stands as a classic example of Sharaku’s approach, merging theatrical intensity with lifelike representation. Such works are valued both as masterpieces of Japanese woodblock art and as documents of Edo-period kabuki, preserving the likenesses of iconic actors and the culture of performance at its height.

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