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.

Seki: Sawamura Sojuro III as Date no Yosaku - Handsome portrait of Sawamura Sojuro III as Date no Yosaku in the kabuki play "Koi Nyobo somewake tazuna." A retainer of Lord Yurugi, Yosaku had fallen in love with the lady-in-waiting Shigenoi, a forbidden relationship which leads to his disgrace. He has been reduced to working as a pack horse driver. He looks over his shoulder with a worried frown, his eyes wide and his brows furrowed. He wears a gray and white striped kimono over a red under robe with a black collar, a tie-dyed blue and white cloth wrapped around his neck, the sides of his hair curled back over his ears with the rest tied in a neat topknot. The view above shows the valley near Seki with pine trees scattered about and a mountain in blue shadow along the horizon. A nice expressive figure, detailed with burnishing in the black collar, and fine bokashi shading.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14" x 9 5/8"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. A few small holes, repaired. A few light creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.