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.

Tsuchiyama: Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Akogi Heiji - Terrific kabuki portrait of Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the fisherman Akogi Heiji. After learning that his sick mother can only be cured with fish from Akogi Bay, Heiji decides to get some for her, even though fishing is prohibited there as the area belongs to the Grand Shrine of Ise. He casts his net, but instead of fish, he brings up a precious sword when someone sounds the alarm to catch him as a poacher. Here, he looks over his shoulder with a worried grimace, afraid of being captured, his fishing net under his arm and the sword wrapped in red cloth in his other hand. He wears a tan striped kimono, a blue and white cloth wrapped about his head with hair sticking out around it. Above, water rushes down the hillside as rain slants across the dark night sky at Tsuchiyama. A great design, nicely detailed.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 9 3/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Tiny loss at one corner, repaired. Slight soiling, very slight rubbing. Please see photos for details. Good overall.