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Utagawa Kuniyoshi19th century color woodcut Japanese ukiyo-e print female geisha figure signed1852
1852
About the Item
This print is from a highly regarded series by the Edo woodblock artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi: in the period, there were at times prohibitions in depicting actors in the woodblock format. To avoid the censors, artists like Kuniyoshi here would show the actors in their roles and juxtaposed with images of the animals of the Buddhist zodiac. Thus, even though the cartouche in the upper right of the image is surrounded by hares, the actual subject of the print are the kabuki actors.
Here, Kuniyoshi depicts the kabuki play Kosan Kingoro, performed at the Nakamura theatre in the ninth month of Kaei 3 (1850). In the image, Bando Shuka I takes on the onnagata role of Kosan in the foreground, clutching a tissue in her hand as she looks back to Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Kingoro. The story tells of a pair of lovers who are try to stay together despite their circumstances. To remain united, Kingoro must pay a ransom on Kosan's employment in a brothel, and so they plot to sell a valuable heirloom to raise the cash necessary to start their lives together.
While being narratively fascinating, the print also shows the mastery of design and technique that Kunihoshi and his blockcutter had. The outlines of the hands and faces of each of the figures is treated with sensitivity and expression, and they are each dressed in finely drawn brocades of patterned silks. The present print is thus an exquisite example of the period in both subject and technique.
"Hare (U): Actors Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Kingorô and Bandô Shûka I as Kosan, from the series Selections for the Twelve Zodiac Signs"
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
1852 (Kaei 5), 7th month
Print artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳)
Published by: Kakumotoya Kinjiro (角本屋金次郎)
Block cut by: Horimino (彫みの)
14.13 x 9.75 inches, print (Vertical ôban)
21.5 x 17.5 inches, frame
Entitled: Hare (卯), upper right cartouche
Series: Selections for the Twelve Zodiac Signs (見立十二支之内), upper right cartouche
Signed: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画), lower right cartouche
Publisher mark: Kakumotoya Kinjiro (角本), left center
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Mino (彫巳の), right center
Censors' seals: Mera, Watanabe, Rat 7 (米良、渡辺), right center
Censor seal: Rat 7 (子七), lower right
Framed to conservation standards using archival materials including 100 percent rag matting and mounting, and glazed with Museum Glass to reduce glare and inhibit UV damage. Housed in a vintage gold finish wood moulding.
Overall good and stable condition; full size print, trimmed to the image; some fading to yellow pigmentation; small holes from historic binding along left edge; some minor creases; contemporary flaw on sleeve of kimono with historic restoration; some wear to vintage moulding; new matting and glazing.
- Creator:Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
- Creation Year:1852
- Dimensions:Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Overall good and stable condition; full size print, trimmed to the image; some fading to yellow pigmentation; small holes from historic binding along left edge; some minor creases; contemporary flaw on sleeve of kimono with historic restorati ...
- Gallery Location:Milwaukee, WI
- Reference Number:
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