Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An untrimmed aiban fan print showing the actor Nakamura Shikan II on an outing to view the summer fireflies. Ukiyo hotarugari, “Firefly Viewing in the Floating World.” Published by Ibaya Kyubei, 1831.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Ippitsusai BUNCHO (Fl. c 1755-1790)
Click here to view image full size. A hosoban showing the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II standing before a torii and looking down at a snake. Not listed in the Riccar Art Museum Exhibition Of Ukiyo-e By Ippitsusai Buncho, 1978. Published c 1769. Very good impression. Extremely well preserved colour. Probably slightly trimmed on right […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A print from the series Mitate Kofukujin, “ A Parody of Children’s Gods.” Featured are two of the seven gods of good fortune compared to famous heroes. Top left: Bishamonten no mitate, Tawara Toda Hidesato (Tawara Toda Hidesato defeating the giant centipede, compared to the god Bishamon). Bottom […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A fine set of prints showing actors preparing backstage for their performances. Haiyu gakuya no omokage , “Images of Actors in the Green Rooms.” Here Nakamura Fukusuke IV is shown preparing to put on makeup while an attendant (off picture) holds up what is presumably a supporter’s banner. […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A fine set of prints showing actors preparing backstage for their performances. Haiyu gakuya no omokage, “Images of Actors in the Green Rooms.” Here Ichikawa Danjuro IX is shown in dressing gown being fanned by an attendant (off picture). Published 1888 by Sasaki Toyokichi. Fine impression, colour and […]
Anonymous
Click here to view image full size. An early Osaka kappazuri-e hosoban diptych (printed with woodblock outline and stencilled colours) showing, on the left sheet, Ichikawa Danzo V in the role of Genta Kagesue, and on the right sheet Arashi Kitsusaburo II in the role of Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka in the “Genta Kando” act of […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych of the famous scene from Meiboku Sendai hagi “The Disputed Succession” showing Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Arajishi Otokonosuke and Onoe Kikugoro V as Yoshio. The rat with the scroll of conspirators is attacked, escapes, and reappears through a trapdoor in its true guise as the evil […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An original woodblock for printing the centre sheet of a triptych showing Ame no Tajikarao pulling the giant stone away from the Ama-no-Iwato cave where Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) had ensconced herself thereby depriving the world of light. The block cut by the publisher Moriya Jihei, 6/1857. The […]
Ippitsusai BUNCHO (Fl. c. 1765-1792)
Click here to view image full size. A hosoban showing the actor Ichikawa Raizo II as Kanesashi Goro Katsuhide in the play Kawaranu hanasakae hachi no ki, “The Ever-Blooming Potted Tree.” Performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre in 11/1769. Extremely rare: Another impression is illustrated in an Exhibition of Ukiyo-e by Ippitsusai Buncho, Riccar Art Museum, […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Segawa Kikunojo III as the courtesan Kojoro of the Mikuni House (Mikuni Kojoro) and Arashi Sanpachi I as her elder brother Kujuro (Kojoro ani Kujuro) in the play Tomigaoka koi no yamabiraki by Namiki Gohei performed at the Kin-za in the 1st month of 1798. The design shows […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical oban triptych showing Onoe Kikugoro V as Okiku’s ghost, above, and Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Asayama Tessan from the play Sarayashiki kesho no sugatami, “Mansion of Plates” performed at the Kabuki-za 1892. A famous ghost story with different versions. The gist is that Okiku was a […]
Yurakusai NAGAHIDE (c 1799-1848)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban kappazuri (coloured by stencils) print from a set: Gion mikoshi arai nerimono sugata, “Gion Festival Costume Parade.” The set was jointly designed by: Goshichi, Seikoku (Charakusai) and Toyokuni, as well as Nagahide, although he appears to have been responsible for many in the set. A large […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A fascinating triptych: Edo sanshibai yakusha nigao seisha nishiki-e, “Brocade Print of True Copies of Actor Likenesses in the Three Theatres of Edo.” Shows all the actors appearing in the three theatres at that time: Nakamura-za, Ichimura-za, Morita-za, with the roles for which they were famous. For example, […]
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size. An exceptional hosoban showing the actor Nakamura Tomijuro I in the role of a courtesan. Published c. 1771 and the influence of Harunobu can be seen. Probably the centre panel of a triptych. Superb impression on thick hosho with the outlines of the figure in relief, similar […]
Rantokusai SHUNDO (Active c.1770-1790)
Click here to view image full size. A hosoban showing the actor Nakamura Sukegoro II as Sasano Sangobei (an otokodate – chivalrous commoner) in part two of the play Iro moyo aoyagi Soga, “Green Willow Soga of Erotic Design.” Performed at the Nakamura Theater 2/1775. Shundo was an early pupil of Shunsho’s and this fine […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing the actor Onoe Kikugoro V in the role of Komamonoya Saijiro, “Saijiro of the haberdashery store,” fighting a giant serpent in the play Inaba Kozo ame no yobanashi performed at the Nakamura-za theatre in 11/1887. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Evidently the actor was […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Ichikawa Danzo IV as Shundo Jiroemon disguised as a beggar and Morita Kan’ya VIII as Takaichi Buemon in the Daianji Zutsumi scene from the play Katakiuchi tsuzure no nishiki, “The Vendetta in Patched-Brocade.” A fine grey-ground print published by Eijudo, 1798. Ichikawa Danzo IV had one of […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. In heavy rain before a giant waterwheel are two actors: On the right Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as the commoner Doroku confronting Ichikawa Kuzo III as Sanpei from the play Sarayashiki kesho no sugatami, “The Mansion of Plates and the Cursed Makeup Mirror.” Published by Kagiya Shobei, 1863. […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A dai-oban print showing the actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro I (Ichikawa Danjuro IX) in the role of Hanakawado no Sukeroku, an otokodate (chivalrous commoner) in the play Sukeroku yukari no Edo zakura, “Sukeroku, the Flower of Edo.” This play was performed at the Ichimura Theatre, Edo in 3/1862 and […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A dai-oban print showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Minister Kibi in the play Kibi Daijin Shina monogatari, “Minister Kibi, Tale of China.” The play centres on the historical minister Kibi no Makibi who joined a mission to the Tang Court in China in 716. He is […]
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s-1760)
Click here to view image full size. An outstanding primitive showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as Soga no Goro in a scene from Yanone, “The Arrow Sharpener.” One of the most popular of the Soga Brothers vendetta plays that was later designated one of the Eight Great Kabuki Plays. The role first performed as […]
Attrib. to Torii KIYONOBU II (Fl. c 1720s-1760)
Click here to view image full size. A fine primitive showing the actors Ogino Isaburo (above) and the onnagata actor Tsugawa Kamon below. Published c late 1720s by Emiya Kichiemon. Ex collection Dr E.F. (1970). Rare. Fine impression. Urushi beni-e with hand-applied colour: tan, blue, yellow, light and dark beni, lacquered sumi over an […]
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s-1760)
Click here to view image full size. An early print showing the onnagata actor Kirinami Onoe (above) and Ichikawa Danjuro II, possibly in the play Yatsumune Taiheiki performed at the Nakamuraza Theatre, 11/1727. If it is this performance, then it’s the first time a trap-door was used. Published by Omiya Kuhei. Ex collection Dr E.F. […]
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s-1760)
Click here to view image full size. An early print showing the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu. He gained early recognition as a child actor. Published by Urokogata-ya hammoto, c mid 1730s. Ex collection Dr E.F. Rare. Fine impression. Urushi beni-e with hand-applied colour: tan, blue, yellow, orange, light and dark beni and lacquered sumi over […]
Torii KIYONOBU II (Fl. c 1720s-1760)
Click here to view image full size. An early print showing the actor Sawamura Harugoro as Soga no Goro. Another impression is in MFA, Boston, acc. no. 21.5656. Published by Hiranoya Kohachi c early 1740s. Ex collection Dr E.F. (1969). Rare. Very good impression. Urushi beni-e with signs of hand-colouring (faded) and lacquered sumi. Paper […]
Torii KIYONOBU II (Fl. c 1720s-1760)
Click here to view image full size. An early print showing the actor Segawa Kikunojo as Oiso no Tora looking down at Kameya Jujiro as Soga no Juro Sukenari who is leaning on a shogi board (Japanese chess). The play Hatsu hikage maizuru Soga was performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 1/1737. Published by Nakajima Izaemon. […]
Adachi GINKO (Fl. 1874-1897)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Onoe Kikugoro V in the role of the evil Asao no Tsubone in a story by Murai Teikichi from a set Kodan isseki; yomikiri tsuika, “Storytelling Complete in One; More Stories.” Published by Gusokuya Kahei, 1874. Shows Tsubone encircled by snakes who force her to reveal […]
Okumura TOSHINOBU (Active c 1717-1750)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing a young actor in the role of a peddler of Chinese medicine, an Uiro, in a scene called Uiro-uri. This role is associated with the Danjuro line and Danjuro II did perform it more than once. Published c 1720 by Emiya. Rare. Good impression. […]
Katsukawa SHUNKO (1743-1812)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing the actors Ichikawa Danzo IV as Doi no Yataro (above) and Ichikawa Raizo II as Kojiro Masahira (below) in the play Kaomise Ama no Iwato, performed at the Nakamura-za theatre 11/1774. A fine design. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Shunko ga. Status: […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical triptych showing the actor Ichikawa Udanji I as the ghost of Sogo’s wife (Sogo tsuma no rei) carrying off Nakamura Kangoro XII as Yamazumi Goheita in the play Sakura Sogo den performed at the Haruki-za Theatre, 3/1893. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro. Fine impression and colour. […]
Ippitsusai BUNCHO (Active c 1755-1790)
Click here to view image full size. Little is known of Buncho’s life. With Shunsho, he was the pre-eminent designer of actor hosoban producing them during the short period of 1766-1773. He also collaborated with Shunsho on the fine 3 vol. Ehon butai ogi in 1770. Shows the actor Nakamura Matsue I in an onnagata […]
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Segawa Kikunojo III in an unidentified onnagata role adjusting her hair in a mirror. Shun’ei was a gifted pupil of Katsukawa Shunsho. Designed many hosobans but also some fine bust portraits and was possibly the originator of this type of print. Published by Emiya Kichiemon c […]
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Otani Hiroemon III in an unidentified role leaning forward with a sword in his mouth. Shunsho was a prolific designer of actor prints as well as views of the green room, wrestlers and bijin. He also collaborated with Kitao Shigemasa on the fine Seiro bijin awase […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An okubi-e showing the actor Arashi Hinasuke I as Fujiwara no Shihei. This was the Minister of the Left, the antagonist, in Sugawara denju tenarai kagami, “Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy.” The set of “surimono-style” prints were published by Ebisuya Shoshichi between 1860 and 1869, the last 12 being […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing from left to right the actors: Seki Sanjuro III as Nippon Daemon (above) and Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Benten Kozo Kikunosuke. Centre: Nakamura Shikan IV as Nango Rikimaru. Right: Iwai Kumesaburo III as Akaboshi Juzaburo (above) and Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Tadanobu Rihei. The group […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Strange Wind from a set of actor prints Seiu kandankei, “A Barometer of Emotions.” A fine set published by Okura Magobei 1876-7. Shows Onoe Kikugoro V as the ghost of the cormorant fisherman Kansaku. He had poached fish from the sacred waters of the Isawa River and was […]
Torii KIYOMITSU (1735-1785)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing two adversaries, the lower figure fighting off his opponent while seated on a fish trap in a stream. The upper figure is the actor Nakamura Sukegoro I as Kenkaya Goroemon and the lower is the actor Nakamura Utayemon I as Nonhyoko Kyubei. Published by Matsumura […]
Kitao MASAYOSHI (1764-1824)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete Sansui ryakuga shiki, “Landscapes in the Cursive Picture Style.” Published by Suwaraya Ichibei, Kansei 12 ( 1800 ). This is the first edition. It was reprinted in 1813. I fine book and one of a series of influential books that he published using abbreviated images […]
Katsukawa SHUN’EI
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing Iwai Hanshiro IV in a “Shibaraku” role, probably as Akita Jonosuke Yoshikage from the play Mieiko nori no hachi no ki performed at the Kawarazaki Theatre in the 11th month, 1791. The highly stylised and dramatic Shibaraku costume gave rise to some of the best […]
Torii KIYONOBU II (1706-1763)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing the actors Ichimura Uzaemon VIII (above) and Segawa Kikujiro I in an onnagata role. Published by Emiya Kichiemon, c. 1746. Another impression in the MET (JP831), listed as Kiyonobu I. Very good impression. Good colour and condition. Signed Torii Kiyonobu hitsu. […]