Toyokuni III's Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido - Toyokuni III's 1852 series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" pairs kabuki portraits with the stations along the famous Tokaido Road. Each design features a half-length figure in the foreground, with a border of clouds separating the actor from the landscape above. Interestingly, the title cartouche of each print is framed by different objects related to the kabuki character or play, including armor and weapons, household objects, flowers, horse equipment, and traveler's clothing and baggage. The large expressive characters are beautifully drawn and detailed, with fine line work in the hair and soft bokashi shading in the backgrounds.

The exact number of prints for the series is unclear, because two prints exist for some stations, and some intermediate stations are also included. Where there are two designs of the same subject, the background landscape continues across the two prints. This handsome series proved extremely popular when released, and remains a favorite of collectors today.

Shimada: Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Miyagi Asojiro - Handsome portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as the young samurai Miyagi Asojiro in the kabuki play " Sho utsushi Asagao Banashi." He falls in love with the beautiful Miyuki after a breeze blew a poem he had written onto her boat, but they are parted with their boats sail apart. He looks to the side with a solemn expression, both hands resting atop a folded fan. He wears a deep blue kimono over a plum colored robe patterned with flowers and vines, his hair pulled back into a neat topknot. The landscape above shows a view of Shimada as night falls, a rosy glow spreading along the horizon under a darkening sky. An expressive figure with soft shading and fine wood grain impression in the background, plus a dusting of mica.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 3/4"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. A few wormholes and small holes, repaired, blends well. A few small spots. Please see photos for details. Good overall.