Toyohara Kunichika - Actor Onoe Kikugoro

Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play

Toyhara Kunichika's "Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play" is an original woodcut printed on nineteenth century Japanese mulberry paper and with full margins as published by Tamura Tetsunosuke in 1870. It originates from one of Kunichika’s finest series, the "Geki Ju Shichi Yu Shi". This series portrayed the most popular Kabuki actors of the day. It is a fine, original example of the Kabuki play actor portraits created by the Japanese artist, Toyhara Kunichika.

Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play

View other original Japanese woodcuts by Toyohara Kunichika.

Toyohara Kunichika (1835 - 1900)
#	Image	Title & Artist	Medium	Date	Notes	-
01-		Actors Ichikawa Sadanji and Onoe Kikugoro in a Kabuki Play by Toyohara Kunichika	Original Japanese Woodcut (Triptych)	1890	Signed, 'Toyohara Kunichika hitsu', publisher by Komori Sojiro.	Sold
02.-		Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play by Toyohara Kunichika	Original Japanese Woodcut	1870	Signed, Toyhara Kunichika Hitsu, publisher Tamura Tetsunosuke.	Sold
03.-		Memorial Portrait of the Actor, Nakamura Kisaburo by Toyohara Kunichika	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1860	Signed 'Toyohara Kunichika hitsu'.
04.-		Three Actors in a Kabuki Play by Toyohara Kunichika	Original Japanese Woodcut (Triptych)	c. 1880	Signed 'Toyohara Kunichika hitsu' and bearing the red circular seal of the Utagawa school.	Sold

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Title:	Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play
Artist:	Kunichika, Toyohara (Japan, 1835 - 1900)
Date:	1870
Medium:	Original Japanese Woodcut
Publisher:	Tamura Tetsunosuke
Note:	Toyohara Kunichika: Of all the leading masters of the Japanese woodcut during the Meiji era between (1868 & 1912), Toyohara Kunichika most steadfastly held onto the traditional concepts of classic, Golden Age art forms. While other artists displayed the stylistic effects of the opening up of Japan to foreign cultures, Kunichika stood as the last great heir of the classic Japanese woodcut, unaffected by new Western forms of art. Perhaps this was so because Kunichika’s artistic training had been firmly rooted in the dominant Utagawa school of the early to mid nineteenth century. As early as 1800 Toyokuni had come to represent the father of this school. His methods were passed down to his most famous students, Kuniyoshi and Kunisada. In turn, Kunichika studied under Kunisada (from the tender age of thirteen) and inherited his master’s strong gifts for actor portrayals, genre depictions and portraits of beautiful women. Later in his career Toyohara Kunichika turned primarily to the triptych. The increased size of the triptych gave him the space to fully portray the drama and action of the characters represented in the popular Kabuki plays of the day.
	Kunichika was a brilliant pupil -- as well as a notorious drinker and womanizer. Before turning twenty he was designing his own woodcuts and sometimes competing with his former master. Kunisada, however, always held his former student in high regard and upon Kunisada’s death in 1864, Kunichika was commissioned to design his memorial portrait. Woodcut memorial portraits of famous artists and actors were meant as a tribute and were published shortly after the individual’s death.
	"Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play", originates from one of Kunichika’s finest series, the "Geki Ju Shichi Yu Shi". This series portrayed the most popular Kabuki actors of the day. Apart from the striking and dramatic pose in which Kunichika portrays Kikugoro, this original woodcut illustrates Kunichika’s genius as a colourist. As the Meiji era advanced Kunichika altered his colors to suit the changing tastes, relying more upon the bright reds, greens and purples which characterize late nineteenth century Japanese printmaking, all combine to create one of his most accomplished works of art, such as this original example, where Kunichika’s talents are seen to their best advantage.
Source:	Geki Ju Shichi Yu Shi
Size:	OBAN (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	View larger Framed Image

Condition:	Printed on nineteenth century Japanese mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins as published in 1870 by Tamura Tetsunosuke. It is a vibrant, early printing and in excellent condition throughout. Signed, Toyhara Kunichika Hitsu, Altogether, "Actor, Onoe Kikugoro, Narrating in a Kabuki Play", is a fine example of a Kunichika woodcut.
	It should also be noted that this original woodcut is in outstanding condition. The fine lines and strong colours indicate that this was a very early printing. As well, the colours (unlike in most 19th century Japanese woodcuts) have remained completely unfaded. It is indeed rare to find a woodcut of this vintage in such superb condition.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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