Sawamura Tossho as Samurai Shirai Gonpachi

Sawamura Tosshō no Shirai Gonpachi

This is the actor Sawamura Tosshō in the role of Shirai Gonpachi, a samurai turned outlaw, about to draw his sword.

Original artist: Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900).
Original woodblock was created in Japan, between 1865 and 1870.

The artist of the original work, Toyohara Kunichika, was born on the 30th of June 1835 in the Kyobashi district of Tokyo. His real name was Yasohachi Oshima. During his adolescence, he became a student of Chikanobu. A couple years later, he became an apprentice of Kunisada.

The art name, Kunichika, is a combination derived from the names of this artist's two masters, Kunisada and Chikanobu.

This is a reproduction of a very old Japanese woodblock print. This was made months ago, rather than centuries ago.