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The actor Segawa Kikunojo V in the role of Ama Myochin, the Cat Witch, from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi, the Eight Dog Heroes, published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 5/1852. The play was premiered at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 1/1852. This is the highlight of the play: The monstrous cat murders the father of the dog hero Inamura Kakutaro and then assumes his likeness. However, as shown here, its hairy body and giant claws can still be seen behind the bamboo curtain. The best design from the set.

Very fine impression with blind printing and burnishing. Fine colour and condition. This is the only full size impression I have seen as they almost always come from albums and are trimmed to the common denominator. Another (trimmed) impression is illustrated full page in Japanese Prints IV- Hiroshige and the Utagawa school – Rijksprentenkabinet/Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1984, no. 180, page 105. Signed Ichiyosai Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold

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The actor Segawa Kikunojo V as the Cat Witch Ama Myochin from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi , “Stories of the Eight Dog Heroes.” Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1852. The extremely lengthy novel by Kyokutei Bakin took 30 years to complete and was turned into a very successful play which was premiered at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 1/1852. The convoluted story tells of the supernatural offspring from the coupling of Princess Fuse and her father’s dog Yatsufusa. They are later reborn to normal mothers and the plot revolves around their gradual discovery of each other. Shows the cat’s human form appearing through a bamboo curtain while her true self, with claws and hairy arms, can be seen silhouetted behind the curtain. She murders the father of the dog hero Inamura Kakutaro and then assumes his likeness. The best design from a fine set.

Very fine impression with burnishing and blind-printing. (The finest impression I have seen.) Fine colour. Small binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyosai Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold

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The actor Nakamura Tsuruzo I as Awayuki Nashito, a vassal of the daimyo Takeda Nobumasa, from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi , “Stories of the Eight Dog Heroes.” Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1852. The extremely lengthy novel by Kyokutei Bakin took 30 years to complete and was turned into a very successful play which was premiered at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 1/1852. The convoluted story tells of the supernatural offspring from the coupling of Princess Fuse and her father’s dog Yatsufusa. They are later reborn to normal mothers and the plot revolves around their gradual discovery of each other. A fine set.

Very fine impression with burnishing and extensive splashed gofun simulating snow. Later printings omit the gofun and have flakes cut into the block. Fine colour. Small binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold

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The Actor Bando Mitsuemon I as Akaiwa Gajiro from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi , “Stories of the Eight Dog Heroes.” Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1852. The extremely lengthy novel by Kyokutei Bakin took 30 years to complete and was turned into a very successful play which was premiered at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 1/1852. The convoluted story tells of the supernatural offspring from the coupling of Princess Fuse and her father’s dog Yatsufusa. They are later reborn to normal mothers and the plot revolves around their gradual discovery of each other. A fine set.

Very fine impression with extensive burnishing. Later printings omit the burnishing on the costume and replace it with bokashi. Fine colour. Small binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold

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The actor Kataoka Ichizo I as the boatman Kajikuro from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi , “Stories of the Eight Dog Heroes.” Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1852. The extremely lengthy novel by Kyokutei Bakin took 30 years to complete and was turned into a very successful play which was premiered at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 1/1852. The convoluted story tells of the supernatural offspring from the coupling of Princess Fuse and her father’s dog Yatsufusa. They are later reborn to normal mothers and the plot revolves around their gradual discovery of each other. A fine set.

Extremely fine impression. Fine colour. Small binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold

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The complete diptych showing on the right the actor Arashi Otohachi III as the evil priest Bungyu attacking Asuka played by Fujikawa Kayu III from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi , “Stories of the Eight Dog Heroes.” Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1852. The extremely lengthy novel by Kyokutei Bakin took 30 years to complete and was turned into a very successful play which was premiered at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 1/1852. The convoluted story tells of the supernatural offspring from the coupling of Princess Fuse and her father’s dog Yatsufusa. They are later reborn to normal mothers and the plot revolves around their gradual discovery of each other. A fine set.

Extremely fine impressions. Fine colour. Small binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Kunisada ga and Ichiyosai Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold