Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)

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The actor Matsumoto Koshiro VI as the otokodate (a roguish yet honourable character) Daikokuya Soroku from a set Rien kyokaku-den, “The Story of a Chivalrous Man of the Theatrical World.” The set published by Hiranoya Shinzo (Hirashin) 1864. Soroku is the owner of a house of assignation called Daikokuya in the Shin-Yoshiwara. This is from the de-luxe edition employing only the finest pigments, block-cutting and printing. (The block-cutter was Ota Komakichi – highly regarded.) There are later editions without the embellishments. Some other late Kunisada sets have the same enrichments, such as the so-called Famous Actors Past and Present set.

Extremely fine impression on thick hosho with burnishing and kimetsubushi (or mokume-zuri) on the wooden box he is carrying. Extremely fine colour. Slight trimming, otherwise fine condition. Signed nanajukyu sai Toyokuni hitsu, “Drawn by the 78 year old Toyokuni.”

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