Unuma: Kinugawa Yoemon, 1852

by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Current Status

Unuma: Kinugawa Yoemon, 1852  by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Original Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861) Japanese Woodblock Print
Unuma: Kinugawa Yoemon, 1852

Series; Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaido Road, 1852 - 1853

Kuniyoshi's Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaido Road - Terrific print from Kuniyoshi's Kisokaido Road series, published between 1852 and 1853. The Kisokaido Road ran between Edo and Kyoto along a mountainous inland route, as opposed to the Tokaido Road, which followed the coast. Kuniyoshi created one design for each of the sixty-nine stations along the way, plus images for Edo and Kyoto. Each features a well-known figure from history or legend, along with a small inset depicting the station itself. These terrific illustrations feature wonderful detail and handsome settings, many with deluxe printing treatments such as fine bokashi shading or burnishing. A great choice for a Kuniyoshi collector or anyone interested in Japanese history and folklore.

Unuma: Kinugawa Yoemon, 1852 - Dramatic kabuki scene showing the disgraced samurai Kinugawa Yoemon killing his estranged wife, the geisha Kasane, who had been possessed by the spirit of a man Yoemon murdered. When Yoemon recognized the resemblance to his victim in her disfigured face, he killed her with a sickle and dumped her body in the river. Here, he attacks her viciously with a sickle as he forces her into the water along the bank. She cling to a tree branch, her misshapen face a ghastly blue and legs flailing, as her spirit rises up out of her body in a mist, to return as a ghost and avenge her death. A fantastic image from this popular supernatural drama, with expressive figures and fine shading in the water, sky, and distant mountains.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight thinning and separation along horizontal centerfold, small losses at corners, a few wormholes, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing, rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Unuma: Kinugawa Yoemon, 1852  by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)
Unuma: Kinugawa Yoemon, 1852  by Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

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