Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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Aoi, Chapter 9, from Genji goju-shi jo, a parody series of the tale of Genji ( ie the 54 Chapters of Genji Monogatari, a 10th century romance by Murasaki-Shikibu. ) Shows ama, female divers, collecting awabi, “abalone”, on the coast of Ise. This is the best design from the set and was a popular subject with ukiyo-e artists as the women were considered quite risqué for obvious reasons. Published by Takekawa Seikichi, Meiji 17 ( 1884 ).
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyohara Kunichika fude.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A wonderful album of 12 spontaneous drawings to show his mastery of the usual gamut of subjects covered by ukiyoe artists: Shibaraku; The Wind God; Daikoku; Asahina; bijin sleeping; Daruma; Tametomo ?; Hotei; a monkey with it’s lead; a storm dragon; a peasant girl watching a cuckoo against the moon, and Kagekiyo breaks prison. This is the sort of item that, if one were lucky, could be bought occasionally in Japan years ago, but which seems to have disappeared. It also reveals how good Kunichika could be. An artist who carried on the traditional woodblock form into the Meiji period. Sumi and full colour on paper, 6.5 x 7.75 inches; 16.6 x 19.8 cms. Some slight repaired wormage, otherwise good condition. Guaranteed at the end as by Kunichika by Eisai Fukunaga Kimiyoshi and dated Taisho 13 ( 1924 )
Status: Sold
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Click here to view image full size.
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Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A vigorous original preparatory drawing by Kunichika for an aiban shunga print. Sumi on thin tissue with extensive pentimenti ( giving an alternative position for the female ). Such shunga drawings are rare.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A vertical diptych showing Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo transforming himself by majic into a rat. In his mouth the stolen will with which he was trying to strip Tsuru-chiyo of his inheritance. Title of play: Meibuku Sendai hagi, “The Disputed Succession.” Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Rare.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Some burnishing. Slight offsetting and oxidation. Retains original album backing. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A vertical diptych depicting the story of the Inaba Apprentice. Title: Inaba ama-yobanashi. Shows Onoe Kikugoro V as the ghost of Saijiro; Bando Kakitsu as Kanbara Mikinosuke and Onoe Matsukuke as Nakama Gonbee. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Extremely rare.
Fine impression and colour. Hand-applied pigment to the head of the ghost. Some silver and burnishing. Retains original album backing. Signed Oju Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A vertical diptych showing the actor Onoe Kikugoro V, dagger in hand and covered in blood, confronting a giant serpent. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Extremely rare.
Fine impression and colour. Extensive mica applied to the serpent. Retains original album backing. Signed Oju Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A vertical diptych showing the actors Ichikawa Danjuro as the teacher Kondo Tatsuo and Ichikawa Sadanji as Mikura Tomizo. Title: Kishu no oki kisen chinbotsu no ba, “ Sunken Ship in the Sea off Kishu Province.” Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, Meiji 20, 11th month ( 1887 ).
Fine impression and colour. Extensive mica and gofun applied. Retains original album backing. Signed Oju Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA ( 1835-1900 )
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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 in 1887. Evidently the actor was swallowed whole during this scene ! An extremely rare print.
Fine impression and colour. Extensive mica on the serpent’s head and body. This is the only impression of this design I have seen retaining the publication details in the left margin ( albeit even here slightly trimmed ). Very good condition. Ample margin for joining the two sheets. Signed Oju Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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The actor Ichikawa Sandanji I as Akiyama Kiimori holding a sword amidst a conflagration. Yakiuchi no ba from a set Meijiza Shinkyogen, “New Plays for the Meiji Theatre.” Although the play is unidentified the house in the background has been set on fire in an attempt to capture the hero Kiimori. Kunichika’s best print in this genre. Published by Akiyama Buemon, 1894.
Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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The actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX in shibaraku role. A fine triptych, Kabuki juhachiban no uchi/shibaraku, “The Eighteen Famous Kabuki Plays: Shibaraku.” Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 8/1895.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Oju Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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A triptych showing Danjuro IX as Yanone (arrowhead) Goro (Soga Goro). Published 1882 by Kamiyama Seishichi. Poem by Sansho the 9th (Danjuro).
Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Oju (“by special request”) Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Sold