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.

Hara: Sawamura Chojuro V as Gofukuya Jubei - Handsome kabuki portrait of Sawamura Chojuro V as the city merchant Gofukuya Jubei in the play "Igagoe Sugoroku," a drama based on the famous Igagoe Vendetta. While traveling, he helps an elderly porter, whom he later discovers is his own father, as he had been adopted as a child. Here, he pauses to smoke a pipe, wearing a heavy coat over his gray and rust colored kimono. He has a blue and white cloth wrapped around his neck, and stares calmly over his shoulder with a slight frown. The landscape above features a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji from across the water at Hara, with low foothills in the distance. An attractive design with fine bokashi shading.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 10"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. A couple small stains at left edge. Light soiling and rubbing in subject. A few small holes and areas of spotting near edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.