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Toyokuni III/Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Bando Hikosaburo V as 'Rinchū likened to Shirōsaburō' 1859.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- Tōsei suikoden.
- Publisher
- Hayashiya Shōgorō
oban tate-e, 24.5 cm × 36.5 cm
Very good impression, colour and condition.
A bust portrait of the actor Bandō Hikosaburō V wearing a magnificent kimono, decorated with a hawk in flight over pine trees. The actor reaches for his sword and his outstretched arm reveals a cherry blossom tattoo. He is imitating the tattoo of Hyoshito Rinchu (Lin Chong trans: head of the leopard) in the story Suikoden, based on the classical Chinese novel Shui Hu Zhuan (Outlaws of the Marsh). The night sky and silhouetted bamboo stalks provide a muted backdrop to this dynamic design.
Signed 'ni konomi Toyokuni ga'
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Toyokuni III/Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Actor Sawamura Tossho II as Sasaki Gennosuke. 1863.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- Large head actor portraits. Okubi-e.
- Publisher
- Ebisuya Shoshichi
- Blockcutter
- hori kō Ryūsan
oban, 28.0 cm × 40.0 cm
Excellent impression on thick, deluxe hosho. Excellent colour and condition.
The actor Sawamura Tossho II in the role of Sasaki Gennosuke, from the play Hana ayame katami ezoshi. This is from Kunisada’s late masterpiece series of half-length actor portraits, okubi-e, and the surimono style prints exemplify some of the finest examples of woodblock printing techniques, with exquisite blind printing, lacquer and mica highlights. The blockcutter is Horikô Ryûzô. Signed Nanajûhassai Toyokuni hitsu, by the 90 year old Toyokuni, in the toshidama cartouche. Another impression at the MFA, Boston.
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Toyokuni III/Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Asao Kuzaemon III. Nagamori
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- A Contest of Magicians.
- Publisher
- Hiranoya Shinzo
oban tate-e, 26.0 cm × 39.0 cm
Excellent impression with beautiful blind printing and mica highlights. Excellent colour and condition.
Onoe Kikugorō III in the role of Kume no Heinaizaemon Nagamori, from the series A contest of magicians by Toyokuni (Toyokuni kigo kijutsu kurabe). This late series is luxuriously printed. Published by Hiranoya Shinzo in 1863. Signed Nanajūkūsai Toyokuni hitsu, the 90-year old Toyokuni.
£1600
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Tsukioka Kogyo 1867-1927
Eboshi-ori
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- Nogaku hyakuban
- Publisher
- Matsuki Heikichi
oban diptych, 52.0 cm × 40.0 cm
Excellent impression, colour and condition. With extensive silver and gold printing.
A scene from the play Eboshi-ori, The Hatmaker. Ushiwaka (later known as the warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune) confronts the brigand Kumasaka Chōhan in front of the ‘ambush’ pine tree. Having been forewarned that he is in danger, a hatmaker offers the young Ushikawa a special headdress to conceal his true identity. Signed Kôgyo with artist’s red seal and Daikokuya fan shaped seal.
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Yamamura Toyonari 1885-1942
Kataoka Nizaemon XI as Sakaida Kakiemon
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- Flowers of the Theatrical World.
- Publisher
- Watanabe Shozoburo
oban, 23.0 cm × 49.0 cm
Excellent impression, colour and condition. A beautiful soft pink mica ground.
Toyonari created 16 prints for Watanabe, including this series “Flowers of the Theatrical World”. This print depicts the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XI (1857-1934) as Sakaida Kakiemon, one of his finest roles in his later career. The play is the Famous Artisan of Kakiemon, which tells the story of Kakiemon of Arita and his fifteen year obssession to create the finest red patterned Chinese-style pottery, in competition with a rival potter in Imari. Here the actor’s forlorn gaze hints at the tragic death of the protagonist's daughter in the play. Signed Toyonari ga.
£1375
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SHUNSEN Natori. (1886-1960)
Bandō Mitsugorō VII as Yari yakko.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- New Stage Portraits.
- Publisher
- Watanabe Shozoburo
dai-oban tate-e, 28.0 cm × 41.0 cm
Excellent impression with blind printing and mica ground. Excellent colour and condition.
The actor Bandō Mitsugorō VII playing the rold of Yari yakko, a spear bearer, from the series Shinpan butai no sugata-e (New Stage Portraits). Signed Taishidō Shunsen sha (depicted by Taishidō Shunsen), top right with the artist's red 'Shunsen' seal below. The right margin has the date and role details and reads Shōwa nijūshichi nen san gatsu saku, created Shōwa 27 (1952), March) and below the actor and role, Bandō Mitsugorō, Yari yakko. Shozaburo's seal lower left.
£800
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SHUNSEN Natori. (1886-1960)
The Actor Ichikawa Junkei. 1952.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- New Edition of Theatrical Portraits.
- Publisher
- Shōzaburō Watanabe.
dai-oban, 27.0 cm × 39.0 cm
Excellent impression, colour and condition.
The actor Ichikawa Jukai III (1886-1971) in one of his finest roles, Kimura Nagato no Kami from the drama Kiri Hitoha (A Paulownia Leaf), which he performed at the Kabukiza in Tokyo, July 1951. The play is written by Tsubouchi Shōyō, an influential figure in modern Kabuki, who translated the complete works of William Shakespeare. Signed Shunsen with artist's red maple leaf seal, published by Watanabe Shozaburo, ca. 1952.
£750
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Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo, 1893
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- One Hundred Roles of Baiko.
- Publisher
- Fukuda Kumajirô and Gusokuya Kahei
oban, 26.0 cm × 38.0 cm
Excellent impression with extensive mica. Excellent colour. Slight toning, otherwise excellent condition. Full size.
In 1893, Kunichika undertook a commission for two series of single-sheet portraits, each dedicated to the two most famous actors of their time. In this example, the actor Onoe Kikugoro V plays the role of Nikki Danjo, and in the cartouche above is the actor Ichikawa Danjuro as Arajishi Otokonosuke, 1893 signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu, with the carver’s details to the right of the signature cartouche.
£500
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Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Shinigami, the god of death, 1893
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- One Hundred Roles of Baiko.
- Publisher
- Fukuda Kumajirô and Gusokuya Kahei
oban Yoko-e, 26.0 cm × 38.0 cm
Fine impression, with extensive mica. Fine colour. Some soiling in the margins, slight toning, otherwise very good condition.
The kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro V as Shinigami, the god of death, here with beautiful bokashi around the his emaciated, ghostly figure. Above is Onoe Matsusuke IV as Tobi no mono Goroji in the play Kaga Tobi. A flame singes the title cartouche just above the figure. Signed Kunichika hitsu.
£500
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Toyohara KUNICHIKA 1835-1900
Onoe Kikugorō V as Saito Sanemori. 1893.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- One Hundred Roles of Baikō
- Publisher
- Fukuda Kumajirō
oban tate-e, 26.5 cm × 39.0 cm
Excellent impression, with blind printing, lacquer, mica and printed on thick paper. Excellent colour. Slight surface soil and minor toning, otherwise very good condition. Full size.
The actor Onoe Kikugorō V (1844-1903) in the role of Saitô Sanemori, with Ichikawa Sadanji in the supporting role Senoo Jûrô Kaneuji, the two Heike warriors, who appear in the play Genpei Nunobiki no Taki. In 1893, Kunichika undertook a commission for two series of single-sheet portraits, each dedicated to the two most famous actors of their time, Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and Onoe Kikugorō V. This is the second series depicting Onoe Kikugoro in his most famous roles, with a supporting actor in the upper cartouche. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu, with the carver’s details to the right of the signature cartouche.
£280
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Gosōtei Hirosada 1810-1864
Bandô Jutarô II in the role of Kiritarô.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- Chûkô Buyûden.
chuban tate-e, 12.0 cm × 12.0 cm
Excellent impression, colour and condition, with attractive oxidation to the metallic pigments.
A print from Hirosada's series of actor portraits in various roles, Chûkô Buyûden, Chronicles of courage, loyalty, and filial piety. The series consisted of about 120 portraits. Neither the actor, nor the play are named on the sheet. Tenpô Reforms banned the production of actor prints in Osaka from the seventh month of 1842, and although restrictions were relaxed by 1847, print makers remained cautious. However, to the theatre-going public the actor and role would have been immediately identifiable. This print shows Bandô Jutarô II in the role of the magician Kiritarô from the play Keisei Hanabusa Zoshi, performed at the Chikugo Theatre, Osaka in January 1849. The role had been a huge success for Bandô Jûtarô I in 1835. Osaka prints, kamigata-e, are often finely printed, with expensive materials, evident in the metallic pigments, oxidised in this example.
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Gosōtei Hirosada 1810-1864
Actor Nakamura Utaemon IV as Bishop Henjô
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Series
- The Fashionable Six Poetic Immortals
- Publisher
- The Fashionable Six Poetic Immortals
Chuban, 18.0 cm × 26.0 cm
Excellent impression, colour and condition, with large margins.
An okubi-e (big head) print of the actor Nakamura Utaemon IV as the Bishop Henjô from the dance-play Yoso’oi Rokkasen. This was the actor’s final performance of the hengemono (transformation dance), a multiple-roles dance showcase performed by one actor, with quick changes of costume. This showcases a single actor dancing a series of contrasting roles in quick succession. Henjô is the introductory section, portraying an elderly priest of great learning. Signed Gosōtei Hirosada.
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ASHIYUKI Gigado. (active 1814-1843)
Nakamura Karoku as the Abalone Diver Onami. 1/1825
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Publisher
- Kichi and Honsei.
oban tate-e, 24.9 cm × 38.8 cm
Very good impression, colour and condition. Barely discernible horizontal centrefold. Full size sheet.
The actor Nakamuro Karoku in the role of the abalone diver Onami from the play Momochidori Naruto no Shiranami, performed 1/1825. Nakamuro Karoku was one of the great female role specialists (onnagata) from the Kamigata (Osaka theatre region). The purple headscarf conceals the shaven forelock, customary for male adults. Three years after the publication of this print, he was placed under house arrest for his ostentatious and luxurious lifestyle. His insistence on having two candles burn at the entrance of his house to ensure a warm welcome after his performance was frowned upon by the ruling authorities (bakufu). Signed Ashiyuki ga.
£220
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ASHIYUKI Gigado. (active 1814-1843)
Arashi Kitsuzaburo as Nagoya Sanza. 1823.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Publisher
- Tenki
oban tate-e, 25.3 cm × 39.2 cm
Very good impression, colour and condition.
The actor Arashi Kitsuzaburo in the role of Nagoya Sanza from the play 'Keisei shina sadame'. His rivalry with fellow samurai, Fuwa Banzaemon, provided much fodder for the Kabuki stage. They both vie for the attention of the courtesan, Katsuragi. Sanza sits in his dilapidated house, wearing a kimono adorned with his emblematic 'swallow and rain' patter and the sword 'amorous swallows' resting on the stand in the background. Signed Ashiyuki ga.
£250
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ASHIYUKI Gigado. (active 1814-1843)
The Actor Arashi Rikan II as Osome. 9/1830.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Publisher
- Honsei
oban tate-e, 23.0 cm × 37.0 cm
Excellent impression and colour. Backed and some lateral trimming, otherwise very good condition.
The actor Arashi Rikan II, nicknamed "the Big-eyed Toku" (me Toku-Rikan) playing the role of Osome in the drama Ashiya Doman Ouchi Kagami (A Courtly Mirror of Ashiya Doman), performed on the ninth month of 1830. Rikan II was small in physical stature and specialised in onnagata "female"roles. To the left, a Haiku poem signed by Rikan says "As the persimmon ripens, Osome has been thinking of her love. She takes time to arrange her black hair before the pleasure of seeing her lover again....." Another impression at the MFA, Boston.
£220
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KUNISADA I/TOYOKUNI III (1786-1865)
Actors in role. 10/1858
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Publisher
oban diptych, 53.0 cm × 36.0 cm
Very good impression, colour and condition.
The actors Ichikawa Ebizō V as Saimyōji Tokiyori, Asao Yoroku II as Izumobo and Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Umashi Toroku in a Kabuki adaptation of the drama "The Potted Trees". Lord Kamakura (Saimyōji Tokiyori) travels his lands disguised as a priest and seeks to reinstate the mistreated lord, Sano Ganzaemon, with the legitimate repossession of his stolen lands. Saimyōji Tokiyori clutches a chest and his rosary beads by a fire. His servant Izumobo is wearing kneepads from chopping the wood to kindle the fire, the sub-zero temperatures evident from their frozen noses.
Signed Toyokuni ga.
£320
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YOSHITAKI Utagawa. 1841-1899
Shini-e of Jitsukawa Enzaburô II. 1872.
- Category
- Japanese | Actors And Kabuki
- Publisher
- n/a
chuban tate-e , 17.4 cm × 25.2 cm
Excellent impression, colour and very good condition. A deluxe printing with mica (kirazuri) in the sky, lacquer (visible on the black collar/obi), gold and silver pigments; his eulogy is written in gold ink to the right.
A shini-e (memorial portrait) to commemorate the premature death of the actor Jitsukawa Enzaburô II, who died aged twenty-four in Osaka on the seventh of the tenth lunar month, 1872. He stands before the silhouetted Osaka night skyline holding rosary beads and a lotus leaf for protection in Buddhist prayer and invocation. The falling "prunus" cherry petals are a poignant and symbolic reminder of the transience of life.
£260