"Little is known of the acclaimed 18th-century Japanese artist Toshusai Sharaku. This impressive volume is the definitive illustrated catalog of the surviving works of this legendary figure -- offering connoisseurs and collectors clear black-and-white reproductions of 146 prints and drawings. Each print is accompanied by extensive commnetary providing details of background and coloring; inofrmation on states and impressions; and identifications of actors and other subjects, and roles depicted. Also included are succinct plot summaries of the plays in which Sharaku's subjects appeared. Here is a priceless record of Japan's popular Kabuki theater."--from publisher