Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting the actor Bandô Shûka I as Shinzaemon's wife Otoki, with a child actor as his son Shinkichi published by Hayashiya Shogoro in the 7th month of 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...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting an actor from the series “Seven Poems for Good Fortune at Sunrise on New Year’s Day in the Modern World” published by Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo) in 1865. Each print in this series features a kabuki actor set against blossoming snow-covered plum trees at New Year. On each image, a slip of paper holding a signed poem by each actor hangs from a tree or is being placed in the tree by the actor...

The statue is carved and painted wood, depicting a "bijin" (beautiful woman) wearing a richly decorated winter kimono. The face and hands are painted white, as was fashionable during the Edo period; indeed, bijin women powdered their faces and hands with white makeup. The carving is of very high quality, with the folds of the kimono flowing gracefully and elegantly, despite the impression of thickness given by the winter fabric. The hairstyle of the bijin is typical of the late 17th century...

The size of Hanga, 10” x 15 3/4”, 255 mm x 390 mm.
The title of Hanga: Ōtani Oniji III in the Role of the Servant Edobei,
Materrial of Paper: Washi. Condition of Hanga: Excellent.
Kabuki Theater Scene, nishiki-e colour print, 1794 done by
Sharaku Toshusai. The front of Hanga lower right has Toshusai Sharaku painted,
with seal of Kiwame which passed the inspection seal of Edo
Government and printer’s seal. This is one of most famous Sharaku’s
woodblock print...

Chikanobu Yoshu (Toyohara) (1838-1912)
Tea Ceremony and Flower Arrangement
From the series, Illustration of Ladies' Etiquette.
Date: 1893.
Size: Triptych. 27.5 x 14 inches.
Publisher: Higuchi Gintaro.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Soiling. Stain at top. Lower right margin edge chip.

Japanese Edo period woodblock print diptych by Osaka artist Utagawa Yoshitaki (1841-1899) dating 1862. The print features the actors Arashi Kichisaburo III as Sato Imasuke and Onoe Tamizo II as Fudesuke in a scene from the kabuki play Hanafubuki Hakone no Akebono. Each chuban-sized sheet measures 9 9/16" x 6 13/16". Very good color and overall condition with gauffrage and lacquer highlights...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print quadriptych (four panels) by Osaka artist Utagawa Yoshitaki (1841-1899) dating circa 1860s. Each panel features an actor standing against an embossed, checkered background. The black ink signature of the artist is in the lower section of each panel. Each chuban-sized sheet measures 9 1/2" x 6 7/8". Very good color with gauffrage and lacquer highlights. The panels are trimmed and mulberry paper album backed with old tape residue along the back edges...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting the Osaka actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII (1810-1863) in street attire standing in front of a row of shops and tea houses by Gosotei Sadahiro (active 1830-1853) dating circa 1848. Briefly a pupil of Kunisada, Sadahiro produced woodblock prints in Osaka in the 1830s and 1840s. On his head is a white band holding the actor's crest which identifies him. The artist's signature is in black ink at the lower left...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych by Kochoro Hosai (1848-1920), also known as Kunimasa IV, Kunisada III, and Toyokuni V, illustrating a scene from kabuki theater. The artist's signature and red seal is at the lower left section of the left panel. The date of Meiji 27 (1894) is below it in the publishers cartouche...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III (1786-1864), depicting the actor Ichikawa Danzo VI in a kabuki performance, published by Kagiya Shobei in 1861. This is one of an untitled series of half-length portraits of actors with poems and still life scenes at the top. Signed at the left "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow. Paper: 14 1/8" x 9 5/8" (image: nearly 13 1/2" x over 9 1/8"). Very good color and overall condition with margins evident...

Antique Japanese woodblock print in triptych by the artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864) depicting a scene from the Kabuki play "Koharu no Mitsugumi Sakazuki". Here, the outlaw murdurer, Shirai Gonpachi (left) is challenged by the famous otokodate (dashing hero), Banzui Chobei (center and with his traditional brown and white plaid fabric).

Kunisada was born to a family that owned a ferry boat service allowing him the time and money to devote to art...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist, Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864) depicting a scene from a Kabuki play titled "Izayoi Seishin". This is the extortion scene where the character, Seikichi (aka Seishin), seen here in traveler's hat, sends his wife, Osayo to ask the lady Ofuji (Shobei nyobo O-fuji) for money. Osayo was once a high ranking courtesan. She is depicted here with her hat pushed back over her shoulders and a comb loose in her hair.
Kunisada was born to a family that ...

Antique Japanese woodblock print of a Kabuki actor with an ornately lacquered cart, scene from play. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga. From 1811-1844 Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) used the name Gototei Kunisada.

Kunisada was born to a family that owned a ferry boat service allowing him the time and money to devote to art. At an early age, he impressed the great master, Toyokuni I of the Utagawa school. He became his apprentice, officially adopting the name Kunisada around 1807. It...

Japanese antique woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (1786–1864) titled: Night Rain at Hirefuri Peak (Hirefuri-mine yoru no ame): Actors Iwai Kumesaburô III (?) as Ôtomo's Daughter (Sokujo) Wakana-hime (R) and Nakamura Shikan IV as Toriyama Shûsaku Terutada (L), from the series Eight Views of Shiranui (Shiranui hakkei no uchi).

Kunisada was born to a family that owned a ferry boat service allowing him the time and money to devote to art. At an early age, he impre...

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...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print triptych by Toyokuni III (aka Kunisada) featuring the actors Kawarazaki Gonjuro, Nakamura Shikan, and Ichikawa Shinsha in a scene from kabuki theater published by Noshuya Yasubei in 1861. Each panel holds the actor's name in a cartouche at the top and at the bottom, 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 about 13 7/8" x 9 7/8" each (full size: 13 7/8" x 29 13/...

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...

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...