Calendar of Kabuki Roles and Actors - Fantastic portrait by Tadamasa Ueno from a calendar series depicting actors for each month of the year. Published by Shokokusha in 1950, these bold designs feature incredibly expressive figures, the compositions often dramatically cropped to focus on the facial features and hairstyles. Rendered with strong calligraphic strokes and vivid color, these images bring the spectacular world of kabuki to life. A rarely seen series by Tadamasa Ueno and a terrific choice for a kabuki or shin-hanga enthusiast.

December: Izaemon in the Play Yukari no Tsuki - Expressive portrait of Izaemon, a young man who was disinherited by his family because of his love for Yugiri, the most famous courtesan of the Yoshidaya Teahouse. The pair want to marry, but Izaemon has no money to redeem her contract. When he learns that she has become ill from lack of seeing him, he decides to pay her a visit. While waiting for her in another room of the teahouse, he hears her with a client and becomes jealous, imagining she no longer cares for him. He looks down with a distracted frown, unhappy that Yugiri may no longer be interested in him, holding a shamisen but not playing the instrument. Happily, the story ends well with Yugiri convincing Izaemon of her love and his family re-inheriting him so they can marry.

Artist - Tadamasa Ueno (1904 - 1970)

Image Size - 9 1/2" x 13 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. A few small stains on background. Please see photos for details.