Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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The actor Matsumoto Koshiro V as Hige no Ikyu from a set: Rien kyokaku den, “The Story of a Chivalrous Man in the Theatrical World.” Kabuki actors playing legendary chivalrous outlaws – otokodate. Ikyu was known as the “Whiskered Ikyu” because of his exaggerated facial hair. He was the rival of Sukeroku and owned a sword tomokirimaru which Sukeroku covoted This and some other Kunisada sets around this date represent the ultimate in block cutting and precision keying with sophisticated printing techniques employing every embellishment: blind-printing, splashed pigment, burnishing, refined bokashi and mokume-zuri, while using the best quality pigments and paper. Published by Yorozucho Hiranoya (Akindo), 1863.
Extremely fine de-luxe impression with fine blind-printing on the hair. (There is a later edition lacking all the refinements.) Very fine colour. Slight soil on the hair, otherwise fine condition. Signed Nanajuhassai Toyokuni hitsu, “Seventy-eight-year-old Toyokuni drew.”
Status: Available
Price: £980