Famous Restaurants of the Eastern Capital - Handsome print from a collaborative series by Toyokuni III and Hiroshige, published between 1852 and 1853. Toyokuni III created the large actor portraits in the foreground, with Hiroshige designing the smaller landscape and still-life insets relating to the featured restaurant or its location. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has many of these images in its collection. These attractive designs are beautifully colored and detailed, making them a great choice for a collector interested in Edo era woodblocks.

The Umenoki Restaurant, 1852 - Fantastic portrait of Suketakaya Takasuke III as Kan Shojo in the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami." The drama is based on the life of Sugawara no Michizane, a famous scholar falsely accused of plotting against the prince and sent into exile, where he continued to write poetry. Here, the scholar clenches a blossoming plum branch in his teeth as he looks to the side, his eyes blazing. His long hair flows over his shoulders and towers above his head. He wears a gray robe with a subtle burnished pattern over a delicately embossed white kimono. The insets by Hiroshige above show a gate with blossoming plum trees in the garden beyond, and a view of the Umenoki Restaurant along the water's edge. An incredible expressive figure, with beautiful fine detail in the hair and soft shading in the background.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) and Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 5/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. A few prints have a couple small repairs. Slight soiling. Slight rubbing near edges. Please see photos for individual condition. Nice condition overall.