Fighting under a Cherry Tree, 1825

by Ashiyuki (active circa 1813 - 1831)

Current Status

Fighting under a Cherry Tree, 1825 by Ashiyuki (active circa 1813 - 1831)

Original Ashiyuki (active circa 1813 - 1831) Japanese Woodblock Print
Fighting under a Cherry Tree, 1825

Osaka Prints - Produced in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, Osaka prints or kamigata-e are instantly distinguishable from typical Edo ukiyo-e. A major difference is the choice of subject matter. Osaka prints were nearly always portraits of actors or kabuki scenes. In contrast, Edo print subjects included beauties, landscapes, nature scenes, warriors, and historic events, in addition to kabuki.

Distinctly different artistic styles also emerged in Edo and Osaka in the 18th and 19th century, resulting in certain recognizable characteristics for each area. Osaka prints feature more subtle, serious figures, reflecting the wagoto or soft style of acting prevalent in the area, along with distinctive facial expressions. The aragato or brash manner of acting popular in Edo influenced print designs towards bolder images of heroism and military prowess.

Much like the style of the prints, the demand for ukiyo-e in the cities of Osaka and Edo also varied. Osaka produced far fewer ukiyo-e designs than Edo did. As a consequence, Osaka prints are rarer and also some of the highest quality prints made in the 19th century, with many featuring deluxe techniques such as burnishing or embossing. Osaka prints are a rare and wonderful collecting area of Japanese woodblocks.

Comments - Terrific kabuki illustration from the play "Momo chidori naruto Shiranami." At left, two fishermen fight each other, using their wooden oars as weapons. In the center, an archer watches them with an angry scowl, holding his bow with both hands. He wears a blue print tunic over an arm protector and kimono, tucked into striped hakama pants with black fur chaps at his sides. The end of the bow has struck a commoner kneeling on the ground at right, pulling him off balance as he falls backwards. A beauty in a cherry blossom kimono waits behind him, staring at the commotion with wide eyes, a flowering branch in her hands. The background is beautifully detailed with a rugged hillside with a temple bell hanging from a blossoming cherry tree at right, above a rushing waterfall. A fantastic and rare oban size Osaka kabuki print by Ashiyuki.

Artist - Ashiyuki (active circa 1813 - 1831)

Image Size - 14 3/4" x 30 1/2"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Three panels, not attached at the seams. Faint vertical creasing running through subject. A few areas of thinning in subject and along edges, all repaired from reverse. Minor spotting and soiling in subject with some wrinkling along bottom edge. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.

Fighting under a Cherry Tree, 1825 by Ashiyuki (active circa 1813 - 1831)
Fighting under a Cherry Tree, 1825 by Ashiyuki (active circa 1813 - 1831)

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