Original Japanese Woodblock Print – Utagawa Kunisada Toyokuni III – Danjūrō as Akitsushima – Edo 1847

Traditional original Ukiyo-e print, woodblock print. [This print is not a modern reproduction]

Print type: Yakusha-e 役者絵 (Kabuki actor portrait)

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni III / Kunisada 歌川豊国三代・歌川国貞
signed 梓元乃応需豊国画 Shimoto no ōju Toyokuni ga, with Toshidama 年玉印 seal

Play title: 台比雪花隅色薗 The Flowers of the Stage in Spring Colors

Play: 関取二代勝負附 The Bouts Between Two Generations of Sumo Wrestlers

Play performed at Nakamura-za, Edo — 28th day of the 2nd month, 1847.

Scene depicted: 天満境内の場 Scene in the Tenman Shrine Precincts

Actor: Ichikawa Danjūrō 市川団十郎 (probably 8th generation VIII)

Role depicted: 秋津嶋 Akitsuhima

📅 Publication date: 1847, Edo period.

Publisher: Kogaya Katsugorō 古賀屋勝五郎

Censor seal: Censor Kinugasa 衣笠

📏 Format: Ōban tate-e 大判縦絵 24 x 35 cm

Origin: Japan, found in Kanagawa Prefecture

About the artist:

Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), also known as Toyokuni III, is one of the most prolific and popular artists of the Utagawa school during the Edo period. A specialist in yakusha-e, he is famous for his kabuki actor portraits, highly appreciated by the public of the time. His style is characterized by dynamic compositions, great expressiveness of faces, and particular attention to theatrical costumes.

Subject:

This print depicts Ichikawa Danjūrō (probably VIII), a line of major actors from the Edo period kabuki stage, embodying the role of Akitsushima in the play Sekitori nidai no shōbuzuke.

The illustrated scene, Tenman keidai no ba, takes place in the precincts of a Tenmangu shrine. The actor is depicted in a dramatic pose typical of kabuki theater, dressed in a richly decorated costume and holding a sword.

The kimono is adorned with stylized landscape motifs, while the decor evokes cherry branches, with delicate karazuri embossing representing sakura flowers, a refined technique characteristic of high-quality ukiyo-e prints.

Condition:

Colors still visible despite slight fading, paper thinned in places, corners partially damaged with old restorations and old adhesives on the back (see photos). Very slight creasing in places. Overall very good condition for its 180 years of age.

🦝 Our opinion:

A superb print typical of Kunisada's work: a very famous actor in a stylish pose and with a sublime kimono! We particularly like the costume motifs and the subtle embossing of the sakura flowers. An authentic Edo period print, well preserved, testifying to the immense success of actor portraits in Japanese popular culture!

A perfect piece for art and antiquity lovers, and simply for those who appreciate beautiful things!

Discover all our authentic prints in our collection of Japanese prints.