Anthology of Actor Portraits Past and Present - Handsome print of actor portraits from a series done by Toyokuni III in 1862 - 1863. He grouped actors together by family or clan, designing single, diptych, and triptych images to accommodate the number of portraits needed for each grouping. The cheerful yellow background creates a nice contrast with the vibrant colors of the portraits, which are nicely drawn and beautifully printed. An interesting series that we don't often see.

A Parisian Collector -   From an interesting group of nearly 200 prints that we just purchased from a Parisian estate. Included are some rare Meiji triptychs as well as a large selection of single subjects by Yoshitoshi, Hiroshige II, Kyosai, Kuniyoshi, Toyokuni III and others. The collection is especially notable for condition. The prints are crisp, clean, and beautiful - none have been displayed. These old estates are a great source for clean, hard to find designs.

Actors from the Sawamura Line, 1862 - Handsome print of actor portraits from a series done by Toyokuni III in 1862 - 1863. He grouped actors together by family or clan, designing single, diptych, and triptych images to accommodate the number of portraits needed for each grouping. The cheerful yellow background creates a nice contrast with the vibrant colors of the portraits, which are nicely drawn and beautifully printed. From top to bottom, the left panel features Sawamura Tanosuke I as Kiyomori, Tanosuke II as Asagao, and Tanosuke III as Okaru. From top to bottom, the center panel includes Sawamura Sojuro IV as Ume no Yoshibei as Katsuma Gengobei, Sojuro V, and Tossho II as Sakingo Yorikane. From top to bottom, the right panel shows Sawamura Sojuro I as Kanki, Sojuro II as Sadakuro, and Sojuro III as Oboshi Yuranosuke. Includes a burnished pattern in Okaru's black kimono, burnishing in the other black kimono, and embossing in the white kimono collars.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 28 5/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight soiling, ink offsetting, faint toning at edges, a few light creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.