Series; Thirty-six Portraits of Actors in Various Roles
Nakamura Jakuemon III as Oshichi, 1927 - Intriguing portrait of Nakamura Jakuemon III as Yaoya Oshichi, a tragic young beauty who is sentenced to death after starting a large fire. The scene depicts "ningyoburi," a style of acting imitating the exaggerated motions of puppets. Two shadowy assistants dressed from head to toe in black act as puppeteers, giving the illusion of manipulating the performer. Oshichi wears a beautiful kimono striped in soft violet, dark and light blue, and white, her long sleeves and colorful tie-dyed obi flowing around her as she moves. Beautifully detailed with swirling baren marks in the light gray background and soft pink shading on her face. This fantastic design is from Shunsen's "Thirty-six Portraits of Actors in Various Roles," a series lavishly published by Watanabe in a limited edition of only 150 prints. A fascinating design.
Publisher - Watanabe, with "Watanabe ko" seal at lower left
Sealed - Signed "Shunsen" with red "Shunsen" seal in subject, with artist's red stamp of approval at lower left edge
Artist - Natori Shunsen (1886 - 1960)
Image Size - 15" x 10 1/8" + margins as shown
Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Drying hole at top left corner. One small hole, repaired. A few light creases at edges, a couple faint stains. Please see photos for details. Good overall.
