The actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX in a scene from kabuki theater from the series "100 Roles of Ichikawa Danjuro IX" by Toyohara Kunichika 1835-1900) dated in the left margin "5th month of Meiji 31" (1898). Deluxe edition with extensive gauffrage accents to the yellow background, cartouches, margin and hair. There are mica highlights in the background. The blue robe is decorated with a keyfret motif pattern produced through the use of pale silver pigment...

Deluxe edition Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Torii Kiyotada VII, also known as Tadakiyo, (1875-1941) depicting the kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX portraying Fudo Myoo from the series "The Eighteen Great Kabuki Plays" published by Hasegawa in 1896. The series title extends across the top of the image. The artist's Tadakiyo signature and red jar seal are at the lower left...

An actor in street attire standing in front of a row of shops and tea houses by Osaka artist Sadahiro (active 1830-1851) dating circa 1845. A pupil of Kunisada, Sadahiro's woodblock prints were published in Osaka in the 1830's and 1840's. The seal of the publisher Iseya Sensaburo appears on the actor's head. The artist's signature is in black ink at the lower left. Exceptional color and impression with lacquer highlights on the edge of the inner kimono and mica in the background...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting the actors Seki Sanjuro III and Ichikawa Danzo in the role of old barefoot monks holding fans. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo 9/1862. The cartouches at the upper left and upper right bear the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's seal are located at the lower right. Measures 14" x 9 3/8"...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print from a small series featuring bust portraits of actors portraying two opposite charactors in old and current plays set against calligraphy by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) collaborating with Torii Kiyomitsu II (1788-1868) dated 1852. The lower right corner bears the signature cartouches of both artists, censor and date seals, and the seal of the publisher Joshuya Juzo. The paper measures 14 3/4"V x 9 7/8"H...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Nakamura Shikan in a dramatic scene with a knife clenched between his teeth and his arm penetrating a Japanese paper folding screen. The date seal (4th month of 1861) and the signature of the artist (signed "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow) are at the bottom left portion of the image. The seal of the publisher Moriya Jihei is at the lower right...

Deluxe impression Edo period Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a man carrying a bucket in a scene from kabuki theater by Yoshitaki (1841-1899). Circa 1860. Exceptional color with lacquer highlights to the collar of the outer kimono. The background at the left side of the print contains fine calligraphy executed in silver. Chuban-sized print with margins evident on the top and right sides. Paper size: 9 7/8" x 7 1/8" (image measures 9 5/8" x 7")...

Illustration of a scene from the Noh theater titled “Ohara Goko” by Kogyo Tsukioka (1869-1927) from the series "One Hundred Noh Dramas" published by Daikoku-ya in 1923. Very good impression quality with silver and gold metallic highlights and extensive embossing on the blue robe. Standard vertical oban print measuring about 14 7/8"V x 10"H. Very good overall condition. There is a slight wrinkle in the paper at the upper right corner.

Illustration of a scene from the Noh theater titled “Ohara Goko” (The Royal Visit to Ohara) by Kogyo Tsukioka (1869-1927) from the series "Nogaku Zue" (Noh Plays) published by Matsuki Heikichi January 10th of 1898. Very good impression quality with silver highlights on the central robe. The background is finely embossed throughout. Standard horizontal oban print measuring 10"V x 14 3/4"H. This image has never been framed and is in very good overall condition...

Authentic Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting two actors in a kabuki play published by Enshuya Hikobei in 1852. The artist’s signature “Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga” and Yoshi Kiri seal are at the lower left with the seal of the publisher beside it. This print is possibly a panel from a triptych. Measures 14 3/4” x 10” (including margins on the top and left side). Very good, clean overall condition with nice color...

A Japanese woodblock print from Ukiyo fuzoku Yamato nishiki-e (Japanese colour prints in Ukiyo style). The portrait is by Kabukido Enkyo, active 1796, of the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Yaozo III as Umeomaru.

This print is from the celebrated set of reproductions of the best of ukiyo-e art published in 12 large vols. 240 woodblock-printed reproductions of famous ukiyo-e prints. 1914. The project was overseen by Hashiguchi Goyo, 1880-1921, who also provided text and cover designs. ...

Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) dated in the left margin Meiji 30 (1897) 1st month 11th day. The series depicts various scenes and events surrounding kabuki theater. This image depicts several actors and musicians on stage. One actor, holding a fan above his head, dances in bare feet. The red fish peering from behind his back suggests he might be a fisherman. Four actors sitting in a row behind him are al...

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "Pubic Reading (Yomitate)" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 4th month in the left margin. Kiyosada's signature can be found on the billboard at the upper left. This series is unusual in that it de...

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "The Curtain and the Announcements" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 1st month 11th day in the left margin. Ginko's red seal is on the bottom of the curtain. This series is unusual in that it depi...

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "Otsu Inari" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 7th month 10th day in the left margin and the artist's red seal at the lower right. This series is unusual in that it depicts various events backstage with the actors, views including the specta...

A rarely encountered Japanese oversized sosaku hanga woodblock print by Asaga Manjiro (1885-1965) dating circa 1950's. Asaga Manjiro was the elder brother of Maekawa Senpan. He was known for his Noh theater and Otsu-e prints. Paper size: 20 1/4"V x 15 3/8"H (image: 17 5/8" x 12 7/8"). Excellent condition with full margins. Never framed. Traces of paper residue from the original folder remain on the back at the left top and bottom corners.

Rare Japanese woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo, the archvillain of kabuki roles, transforming himself magically into a rat. The kabuki play “Meibuku Sendai Hagi” (“The Disputed Succession”), deals with an assassination attempt on Tsuruchiyo, a child who had inherited the position as head of a Semdai clan. A stolen scroll containing a list of assassination conspirators is in Nikki Danjo’s mouth. Pub...

Japanese woodblock print triptych of swimming turtles and fish with actor mons and human faces by Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) dated 5th month of Meiji 19 (1886). The convention of disguising portraits of actors arose in the Edo period when bust portraits of actors were banned, through the Tempo Reforms of 1841-1843, for being conspicuous and a detriment to public morality. Each panel measures about 14"V x 9 1/8"H. The print is in good overall condition with fading evident. The panels are sep...