The Sharaku clasp pouch is an art piece that holds the mystery and beauty of Edo in the palm of your hand.
The Sharaku clasp pouch is an art piece that holds the mystery and beauty of Edo in the palm of your hand.
In this article, we will explore the history and cultural significance of Toshusai Sharaku, while also exploring the worldview that WABISUKE's pochettes evoke in a fun and beautiful way.
Edo Mystery: The Existence of Sharaku
Toshusai Sharaku is a mysterious artist who suddenly appeared in 1794 (Kansei 6) during the late Edo period, and disappeared without a trace in just 10 months, leaving behind around 140 ukiyo-e prints. His true identity remains unknown, and although the most likely theory is that he was a Noh actor from the Awa domain, Saito Jurobei, there are many other theories out there.
Sharaku's arrival was like a comet. Produced by publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo, he made his debut with a gorgeous large-format actor print printed on black mica. His paintings were a departure from the traditional beautified actor prints, and they touched the hearts of viewers with their exaggerated facial expressions and realistic portrayals of the characters' psychology.
What Sharaku Depicted: The "Inner Side" of Human Beings
Sharaku's representative works include "Otani Oniji III's Yakko Edobei" and "Ichikawa Ebizo's Takemura Sadanoshin." In each of them, he boldly depicts the wrinkles on the actors' faces, the shape of their noses, and even the distortion of their mouths, bringing to light the emotions and tension that reside in each moment of performance.
At the time, ukiyo-e prints were primarily meant to be "bromide" portraits of Kabuki actors, and it was common knowledge that they were to be beautifully drawn. However, Sharaku's work is said to have been a commercial failure because he pursued realism so much that he was criticized for "trying to portray the truth and painting it blatantly" (Ukiyo-e Ruiko).
However, his reputation changed dramatically in later generations. After his rediscovery in Europe, Sharaku's work became internationally acclaimed as an innovator in portrait art.
WABISUKE's Sharaku Purse Pochette: Embrace the spirit of Edo
WABISUKE's "Sharaku Clasp Purse Pochette" beautifully incorporates Sharaku's worldview into modern life.
The faces on the pochette evoke the exaggeration, humor, and psychological depth of Sharaku's actor paintings. The patchwork of black, white, yellow, and gray creates a beautiful fusion of Edo color sensibility and modern fashion. The metal clasp and leather strap strike an exquisite balance between tradition and functionality.
This pochette is more than just a fashion item. It's the feeling of "carrying Sharaku's gaze with you." In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, your eyes suddenly catch on someone's expression. This Sharaku-like sensibility resides in your everyday life.
The Cultural Significance of Sharaku: A Turning Point in Japanese Art
The emergence of Sharaku marked a major turning point in the history of ukiyo-e. His works anticipated the shift from idealization to realism, from the surface to the interior, a trend in art.
Furthermore, Sharaku's paintings often have compositions that take into consideration the viewer's gaze, and have the power to shorten the psychological distance between the viewer and the artist. This can be said to be the origin of visual expression that is also seen in modern advertising and film.
Sharaku's legacy goes beyond his paintings. It also poses the question, "How should we view human beings?"
Summary: Walking with Sharaku
WABISUKE's Sharaku clasp pouch is a piece that gently brings the beauty and mystery of Edo into modern life. Just like Sharaku's paintings, this pouch also brings out the individuality of its owner and poses questions in the minds of those who see it.
Sharaku is gone, but his gaze lives on in us today.
WABISUKE captures that gaze in the small universe of a clasp purse and then gently releases it.