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...

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...

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...

Bust portrait of an unidentified actor in the role of a half-naked samurai from a series titled "Mirror of Good and Evil Spirits" by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900), published by Tsunoi in 4/1868. Paper size: 14" x 9 3/8". The print is a fine impression with very fresh color. The wood grain is plainly evident in the background and there are mica highlights. The left margin is trimmed...

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...

Original Japanese color woodblock print in the dai oban size by the Japanese artist Natori Shunsen (1886-1960), showing Kataoka Nizaemon XIII as Momoi Wakasanosuke in the Chushingura play from the series "Portraits of Male Actors in Various Roles". Published in 1953 by Watanabe Shozaburo with mica background. Signed Shunsen with artist's seal Shunsen, red circular publisher's seal Watanabe, titled and dated Showa 28 in the margin. Dimension: paper 37.9 cm x 26.1 cm, image: 37.1 cm x 25.2 cm...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni I (1769-1825) depicting the kabuki actor Nakamura Utaemon III portraying a sake peddler encountering a dog from a set of eight prints published by Yamamoto Heikichi in 1815. Kiwame censor’s seal. Paper size: 14" x just under 10." Very good overall condition and color with some typical minor wear. There is wormage evident that is well disguised and stabilized by an album backing...

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...

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")...

Oversized Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) rendered in bold colors featuring a kabuki actor portraying a samurai plunging an arrow titled “Arrowhead” by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The print is pencil-signed, dated ’76, and numbered 43/50. The artist’s red seal is above the date. The paper size is about 27 1/2” x 23 1/2." Very good, clean overall condition. The print is very faintly sun struck from prior matting. There are two pieces of archival ...

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 oban sized woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) from a series depicting the Five Seasonal Festivals (Gosekku no uchi) dating 1854. The title cartouche and seal of the publisher Joshuya Kinzo is at the upper left. The date and censor's seals, carver's seal, and signature of "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow) are below. Measures just over 14 5/8" x 10 1/8" with a margin at the top and small margin on the left side. Nice impression quality...

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. ...

Original woodblock of a samurai by Japanese master and teacher Toyokuni Utagawa, 1769-1825. Signed in lower left, the print is float mounted. In very good antique condition, there is some worm hole damage along the right edge. Measures sight size 13.5 inches high, 9.25 inches high.

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...

Rare 58 page accordion album of Japanese chirimen-e (creped) woodblock prints by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) dating from the 1860s (late Edo/early Meiji). Included are two triptychs and one oban print by Kunisada (signed Toyokuni III). The album consists of seven triptychs, one two-panel composition, and 35 oban images, for a total of 43 individual prints. Included are prints from the following series: "Famous Places of Edo," "Twenty-four Likenesses of Actors," "Contest of Riddles with Thi...

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. The publisher's seal is at the...

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. Very good overall ...