Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital - Great design from a series pairing kabuki actors with famous views of Edo. Published between 1863 and 1865, Toyokuni III contributed sixteen designs before his death, with Kunichika creating the rest of the prints for the series. These attractive images feature large, well-detailed figures in front of classic landscapes and city scenes from the Eastern Capital. Toyokuni III's student Kunihisa contributed the backgrounds for his images. A rarely seen series and a great choice for a kabuki enthusiast. 

Sumidagawa: Bando Hikosaburo V as Matsuwaka - Handsome portrait of Bando Hikosaburo V as a samurai looking out of the corners of his eyes with a suspicious expression. He hangs his head with a slight frown, a straw raincoat tied around his shoulders. He wears a fine kimono patterned with yellow blossoms and flowing water over a red under robe, his hair neatly pulled back into a thick topknot. The embankment of the Sumida River (Sumidagawa) behind him is lined with tea stalls hung with red paper lanterns and dotted with blossoming pink cherry trees. Steps lead from a dock to a torii gate at right. A great expressive figure. Beautiful shading and wood grain impression in the night sky.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Slight thinning along left edge, repaired, blends well. A few faint creases. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.