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 Kawaguchi Restaurant, 1852 - Great kabuki portrait of Bando Hikosaburo IV as the elderly boatman Jimbei in the play "Sakura Giminden." He ferries the hero of the drama, Asakura Togo, home to see his family once last time, even though Togo is a wanted man and by assisting him, Jimbei could face death himself. Bundled up against the cold with a straw raincoat and a scarf around his graying hair, Jimbei looks to the side with a tight-lipped frown as he poles the boat along, snow falling over the scene. The landscape above by Hiroshige shows a view of Hashiba, the site of a ferry on the Sumida River. Dark smoke rises from the tile kilns at right, a few rafts moving along the quiet water, a rosy glow spreading along the horizon as the sun sets. A fine portrait of this sympathetic character, with lovely shading in the landscape scene.

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 old paper. Slight soiling. Some prints have faint toning or spotting near edges, or slight rubbing. Please see photos for individual condition. Generally in good condition overall.