{"product_id":"estampe-japonaise-originale-utagawa-kunisada-toyokuni-nakamura-shikan-inaba-kozo-kabuki-edo-1862","title":"Original Japanese Woodblock Print – Utagawa Kunisada Toyokuni 3 – Inaba no Kozō – Nakamura Shikan IV – Edo 1862","description":"\u003cp\u003eTraditional \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal\u003c\/strong\u003e Ukiyo-e woodblock print. \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e[This print is not a modern reproduction]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"594\" data-start=\"524\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrint type\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cem data-end=\"556\" data-start=\"545\"\u003eYakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e (Kabuki theater actor portrait)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"719\" data-start=\"596\"\u003e🎨 \u003cstrong data-end=\"612\" data-start=\"599\"\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 \u003cem data-end=\"674\" data-start=\"637\"\u003esigned: 七十七翁豊國画 — Kio Toyokuni ga\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"677\" data-start=\"674\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"719\" data-start=\"677\"\u003eSignature used by Kunisada at 77 years old!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"793\" data-start=\"721\"\u003e📅 \u003cstrong data-end=\"744\" data-start=\"724\"\u003eDate of publication:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1862 (2nd year of the Bunkyū era, late Edo period)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"900\" data-start=\"795\"\u003e📜 \u003cstrong data-end=\"811\" data-start=\"798\"\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e 海老屋林之助 (\u003cem data-end=\"837\" data-start=\"820\"\u003eEbiya Rinnosuke\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"987\" data-start=\"902\"\u003e🔪 \u003cstrong data-end=\"928\" data-start=\"905\"\u003eEngraver (Horishi):\u003c\/strong\u003e 松嶋彫政 (\u003cem data-end=\"956\" data-start=\"935\"\u003eMatsushima Horisada\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1034\" data-start=\"989\"\u003e📏 \u003cstrong data-end=\"1004\" data-start=\"992\"\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ôban tate-e (approx. 25 × 36 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1034\" data-start=\"989\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Japan, found in Tokyo Prefecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1144\" data-start=\"1036\"\u003e📌 \u003cstrong data-end=\"1062\" data-start=\"1039\"\u003eSeries title:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1065\" data-start=\"1062\"\u003e見立子僧三幅対 (\u003cem data-end=\"1099\" data-start=\"1074\"\u003eMitate Kozō Sanpukutsui\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr data-end=\"1103\" data-start=\"1100\"\u003ewhich could be translated as: \"Three portraits of actors in disguised young monk roles\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1247\" data-start=\"1146\"\u003e👤 \u003cstrong data-end=\"1176\" data-start=\"1149\"\u003eCharacter depicted:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1179\" data-start=\"1176\"\u003e稲葉小僧 (\u003cem data-end=\"1200\" data-start=\"1185\"\u003eInaba no Kozō\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr data-end=\"1204\" data-start=\"1201\"\u003e🎭 \u003cstrong data-end=\"1219\" data-start=\"1207\"\u003eActor:\u003c\/strong\u003e 中村芝翫 (\u003cem data-end=\"1246\" data-start=\"1226\"\u003eNakamura Shikan IV\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1267\" data-start=\"1254\"\u003e🏮 Subject:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1440\" data-start=\"1269\"\u003eThe title of this series suggests a religious scene: \u003cem data-end=\"1357\" data-start=\"1324\"\u003e\"triptych of young monks\"\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr data-end=\"1361\" data-start=\"1358\"\u003eBut in the theatrical language of the Edo period, it's a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1439\" data-start=\"1417\"\u003eclever pun\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1624\" data-start=\"1442\"\u003eIndeed, the word \u003cem data-end=\"1470\" data-start=\"1459\"\u003ekozō (子僧)\u003c\/em\u003e can literally mean \u003cstrong data-end=\"1503\" data-start=\"1486\"\u003e\"young monk\"\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-end=\"1623\" data-start=\"1522\"\u003ebut it is also used to refer to a brat, a thief, or a low-ranking servant \u003c\/strong\u003e(\u003cem data-end=\"1470\" data-start=\"1459\"\u003e小僧)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1964\" data-start=\"1626\"\u003eHere, the character depicted is \u003cstrong data-end=\"1677\" data-start=\"1660\"\u003eInaba no Kozō\u003c\/strong\u003e, a famous masked thief from kabuki theater — also known as \u003cstrong data-end=\"1774\" data-start=\"1742\"\u003eNezumi Kozō (the \"rat thief\")\u003c\/strong\u003e, a legendary Edo bandit nicknamed the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1839\" data-start=\"1812\"\u003eJapanese Robin Hood\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr data-end=\"1843\" data-start=\"1840\"\u003eHe was said to be able to break into samurai residences to steal money and treasures... without ever being captured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2255\" data-start=\"1966\"\u003eIn this print, \u003cstrong data-end=\"2008\" data-start=\"1986\"\u003eNakamura Shikan IV\u003c\/strong\u003e embodies Inaba Kozō in a theatrical posture, with his sword raised and a taut silhouette.\u003cbr data-end=\"2089\" data-start=\"2086\"\u003eA cunning character, between shadow and light, whose name suggests a \u003cstrong data-end=\"2177\" data-start=\"2156\"\u003ebeggar or monk\u003c\/strong\u003e, but whose presence evokes the \u003cstrong data-end=\"2254\" data-start=\"2211\"\u003eunderground violence of criminal kabuki\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2285\" data-start=\"2262\"\u003e✨ Notable details:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2374\" data-start=\"2289\"\u003eExtremely rare signature by Kunisada indicating his age: \u003cstrong data-end=\"2372\" data-start=\"2340\"\u003e\"Toyokuni aged 77\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2450\" data-start=\"2377\"\u003eStrong contrast between the sobriety of the black costume and the tension of the body\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2559\" data-start=\"2453\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2499\" data-start=\"2453\"\u003eKatana blade printed in blue gradient\u003c\/strong\u003e, using \u003cstrong data-end=\"2557\" data-start=\"2529\"\u003ePrussian blue (bero-ai)\u003c\/strong\u003e pigment\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2615\" data-start=\"2562\"\u003eFine engraving on the hair and textile patterns\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2697\" data-start=\"2685\"\u003e📦 Condition:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2770\" data-start=\"2699\"\u003eOriginal period print, in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2769\" data-start=\"2732\"\u003egood condition\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2963\" data-start=\"2772\"\u003e➕ Well-preserved colors\u003cbr data-end=\"424\" data-start=\"421\"\u003e➕ Original unlined paper, flexible and healthy\u003cbr data-end=\"472\" data-start=\"469\"\u003e➕ Translucent examination: no restoration, no gluing, no retouching\u003cbr data-end=\"550\" data-start=\"547\"\u003e➖ Slight creases\u003cbr data-end=\"586\" data-start=\"583\"\u003e➖ Two small spots visible on the character's face\u003cbr data-is-only-node=\"\" data-end=\"655\" data-start=\"652\"\u003e➖ A tiny hole in the hair, very discreet but present\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2988\" data-start=\"2970\"\u003e🦝 Our opinion:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3190\" data-start=\"2990\"\u003eThis print is a beautiful example of the \u003cstrong data-end=\"3087\" data-start=\"3029\"\u003edouble meaning inherent in kabuki theater, ukiyo-e, and the Japanese language\u003c\/strong\u003e: beneath the appearance of a \"young monk,\" a \u003cstrong data-end=\"3160\" data-start=\"3136\"\u003emythical burglar\u003c\/strong\u003e stands, sword in hand. Edo humor at its finest!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3338\" data-start=\"3192\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3204\" data-start=\"3192\"\u003eKunisada\u003c\/strong\u003e, at the end of his life and at the peak of his art, captures the moment of maximum tension before action, in an \u003cstrong data-end=\"3337\" data-start=\"3304\"\u003eelegant, sober, and expressive\u003c\/strong\u003e composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3446\" data-start=\"3340\"\u003eWe love the \u003cstrong\u003eblade with the Prussian blue gradient!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3446\" data-start=\"3340\"\u003eKunisada distinguished himself with his refined portraits and kabuki scenes. Discover other unique pieces in our collection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kogedo.com\/collections\/estampes-japonaises\" title=\"Authentic Japanese prints by Kunisada and other masters\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1299\" data-end=\"1322\"\u003eJapanese prints\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KOGEDO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51819169218899,"sku":"E67","price":290.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0937\/8562\/0819\/files\/ukiyoe-toyokuni-nakamura-shikan-inaba-kozo-yakushae-kabuki-detouree.png?v=1757163626","url":"https:\/\/kogedo.com\/en\/products\/estampe-japonaise-originale-utagawa-kunisada-toyokuni-nakamura-shikan-inaba-kozo-kabuki-edo-1862","provider":"KOGEDO","version":"1.0","type":"link"}