Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting kabuki actors dating 1865. The cartouche at the upper left bears the title of the series and the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's/date seal are located at the upper right. Measures 14 1/2"V x 10 1/8"H. Very good overall condition. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains...

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 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...

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 a kabuki actor portraying a samurai. His sword rests on the ground and his matchlock musket leans against the wall. Firearms were introduced to Japan by foreign traders in the 16th century. The maru-ni-chigai-Takanoha family mon is on his kimono. This crest, which consisted of two crossed hawk feathers, was used by two Edo period samurai families. This image was published by Maruya Seijiro in 1854...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada), depicting a heavily tattoed actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Omatsuri Sashichi in a scene from kabuki theater. The cartouche at the upper right holds the series and image title "Mitate Tsuki Zukushi: Musashi no Tsuki" (Collection of the Full Moon Parodied: The Moon over Musashi)...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Onoe Kikugoro III as Mashiba Hisayoshi. This image is Station 55: "Kyoto" from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke in 1852/3. Very nice impression quality and color. The date and censor's seals, carver's seal, and signature of "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow) are at the left. Measures 14 5/8"V x 10"H...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Daiku Yoshiro. This image is Station 45: "Ishiyakuchi" from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Tsutaya Kichizo in 1852/3. Very nice impression quality and color. The date and censor's seals, carver's seal, and signature of "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with blue snow) are at the right...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Bando Mitsugoro III in the role of Kumagai Jiro Naozane. This image is Station 23 from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke in 1852/3. Very nice impression quality with mica highlights. The black robe is overprinted with patterns using lacquer highlights...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III (1786-1864), depicting actors portraying the Heian period samurai Abe no Muneto and a beauty in a scene from kabuki theater. This is one of a number of double half-length portraits of actors designed by Kunisada in 1852. Published by Iseya Kanekichi. Signed at the left "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow. Excellent color and impression quality with fine delineation of the hair and wood grain plainly evide...

Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a seated samurai. The image is signed at the left side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (1797-1861). The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. The print was published by Ibaya Senzaburo between 1847-1848. The paper measures 14 1/2"V x 9 7/8"H. It is most likely a panel from a triptych. Very good overall condition with excellent color. The print is not backed. No tape or tape stains. There are a few tiny pin holes and a very small loss t...

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. There are wrinkles and crease...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) depicting the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro possibly portraying Yoshitsune wearing a kimono with a pattern of Karasu (crow) Tengu. The mythical half man half bird creatures who lived deep in the woods were masters of swordsmanship with whom Yoshitsune practiced sword fighting. The tsuba on both swords is in the form of the crest of the Ichikawa family. Beneath the signature is the kiwame censor seal (used prior to 1842) and...

The kabuki actors Otani Tomoemon V (left), Nakamura Shikan IV (center), and Ichikawa Kuzo III (right) in a scene from the play Oshu Adachigahara. This Edo period Japanese woodblock print triptych by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) was published by Izutsuya Shokichi in 1865. Each panel measures about 14 1/8" x 9 5/8." Very good color and impression quality with strong wood grain evident in the background. The print is not backed and the image and baren marks are clearly visible on the back. T...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada (also known as Toyokuni III) depicting actors portraying a scene from the kabuki theater. Published by Yamazakiya Seishichi in 1855. Each panel bears the signature "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow, a publisher's seal, date seal, and censor's seal (see enlargement 5). Each panel measures about 14 1/2"V x 9 3/4" - 10"H. Very good overall condition with margins. The triptych is not backed and the baren marks and image are cle...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada (also known as Toyokuni III) depicting an actor portraying a samurai sitting on a veranda overlooking a garden with a beauty in the center panel. Published by Joshuya Kinzo prior to 1842. Each panel bears the signature "Gototei Kunisada ga", a publisher's seal, and the kiwame censor's seal used from 1790-1842 (see enlargement 5). Each panel measures about 14 1/2"V x 9 1/2"H. Very good overall condition. The triptych is not backed and the b...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print triptych by Kunisada (also known as Toyokuni III) illustrating a scene from the 1951 kabuki production "Genji Moyo Furisode Hinagata" (Dress Patterns in Genji Style). The scene is set in a meadow and features in the left panel the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of the handsome protagonist Lord Ashikaga Jiro (Mitsuuji) engaged in a sword fight. In the center panel is Bando Shuka I in the role of Fuji no kata (the concubine of Mitsuuji's father, Yoshim...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print triptych by Toyokuni III (aka Kunisada) illustrating a scene from kabuki theater with actors depicting a street vendor selling sake to a young man disguised as a Buddhist monk while a story-teller approaches from the right. Published by Minatoya Kohei in 1852/53. Each panel holds the artist's "Toyokuni ga" signature in a red cartouche with yellow snow, the censor's seals, and the publisher's seal. The panels measure 13 15/16" x 9 1/8" to 9 1/4" each (full s...