A Special Group - In today's auctions we are pleased to offer a special group of outstanding kabuki portraits by Natori Shunsen, considered one of the masters of shin-hanga actor prints. These fantastic designs are all from his "Creative Prints, Collected Portraits of Shunsen," a series lavishly published by Watanabe in a limited edition of only 150 prints. This rare series includes some of Shunsen's most highly regarded designs. Each woodblock comes with its original paper folder with title slip listing the actor's name and role, a rare find and a great addition for a collector. Don't miss this opportunity to add a rare shin-hanga masterwork by Natori Shunsen to your own collection!

Ichikawa Ennosuke as Ikuta Kukudayu, 1927 - Incredible portrait of Ichikawa Ennosuke as the robber Ikuta Kukudayu in the kabuki play "Toyama zakura Tenpo nikki." His face slightly lowered, he stares ahead with an intense expression, his lips tightly closed in an angry grimace. He grips a short spear before him, wearing a rumpled rust colored plaid kimono edged with blue at the sleeves. His face and shaved head are shaded with blue, a sign of his beard and hair growing out, which adds to his menacing appearance. The black background creates a dark atmosphere as well. A fantastic, expressive image, one of the most memorable from this Shunsen series.

Publisher - Watanabe, with "Watanabe ko" seal at center right in white
Sealed - Signed "Shunsen" with red "kajicho" seal in subject, with artist's red stamp of approval at lower right corner

Artist - Natori Shunsen (1886 - 1960)

Image Size - Image 14 3/4" x 10 1/8" + margins as shown; folder 17" x 12"

Condition - Print: With excellent color and detail as shown. Faint toning at edges. Please see photos for details. Very nice overall. Folder: Faint toning, a few small spots, pencil notation in top left corner.