Toyokuni III · Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Matsudaiya Shirobei...

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni III (歌川豊国, 1786–1864), formerly Kunisada I, signed Toyokuni ga (豊国画) in a toshidama cartouche on each sheet Subject: A kabuki scene with three characters of the Matsudaiya household: Left sheet: Matsudaiya Kogorō (松台屋小五郎) and Kogorō's wife Osen (小五郎女房おせん) Right sheet: Matsudaiya Shirobei (松台屋四郎兵衛) Format: Ōban, two sheets, each ca. [24 × 36 cm] Technique: Nishiki-e (full-colour woodblock print) Date: Ansei 2 (1855), 7th month Signature / seals: Signed Toyokuni ga on each sheet. Condition: Excellent impression with excellent saturated colours throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Please check the images for minor issues! About the print This work is not well documented in any international source. Kodanji IV was the leading actor of rough, realistic commoner and thief roles in the 1850s. Kumesaburō III was a popular young onnagata who later became Iwai Hanshirō VIII. Kunisada was then the most productive designer of actor prints in Edo, and the same scene was published by more than one publisher.

Estimate:£125.63

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