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 titled "Four" (yon/shi) depicting the actors Onoe Kikugoro IV and Ichikawa Kodanji IV in the roles of Oiwa and Izaemon from a series titled "After The Seven Iroha" by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 8/1856. This series was published the same year as "Seven Variations of the Iroha." The title cartouches of the prints in this series feature ciphers written seven different ways. "Iroha" refers to a distinct form of Japanese poetry...

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. Signed "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow). Measures 14"V x 9 1/2"H...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 1854 depicting a beauty of the nobility practicing the art of painting. Signed at the left "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche surrounded with yellow snow." 14 3/8"V x 10"H. Very good color and in clean overall condition with lacquer and embossed highlights. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains...

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...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting a beauty taking a boat ride on the Sumida River from a series titled "The Seven Variations of the Iroha" by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 1856. "Iroha" refers to a distinct form of Japanese poetry. The signature of the artist (signed "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow) is located at the lower right. Standard vertical oban print measuring 14 1/8"V x 9 1/2"H. Good color and overall condition...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting “The lay priest Ryuen, Uramatsu Kihei Hidenao, behind a rack of kimonos” from the series “Stories of the Faithful Samurai.” The print is signed at the lower left "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (1797-1861). The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. The publisher’s seal and series number is below the artist’s seal. The date seals are above the signature. The series title is at the upper right. The series, published by Ebiya Rinnosuke ...

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...

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child from a series depicting powerful individuals by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Hayashiya in 7/1852. The image is signed at the right side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (used circa 1850) within a gourd shaped cartouche. The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. Vertical oban size measuring 14 1/2"V x 9 5/4"H. Fair impression quality. Very good overall condition with minor soiling. The print is not backed and the image and baren m...

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 depicting the poetess Gon Chunagon Atsutada (906-943) gathering sea shells from the series "Lessons for the Young from Thirty-six Poetic Immortals" by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) dated circa 1842. Vertical oban size (14"V x 9 3/4"H). Very good overall condition. A few tiny wormholes and a few slightly thinned areas in the paper. This series is illustrated in plate 106 of "Utagawa Kuniyoshi," an exhibition catalogue based upon the Raymond A. Bidwell collection of Japanese ...

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...