Osaka Prints - Produced in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, Osaka prints or kamigata-e are instantly distinguishable from typical Edo ukiyo-e. A major difference is the choice of subject matter. Osaka prints were nearly always portraits of actors or kabuki scenes. In contrast, Edo print subjects included beauties, landscapes, nature scenes, warriors, and historic events, in addition to kabuki.

Distinctly different artistic styles also emerged in Edo and Osaka in the 18th and 19th century, resulting in certain recognizable characteristics for each area. Osaka prints feature more subtle, serious figures, reflecting the wagoto or soft style of acting prevalent in the area, along with distinctive facial expressions. The aragato or brash manner of acting popular in Edo influenced print designs towards bolder images of heroism and military prowess.

Much like the style of the prints, the demand for ukiyo-e in the cities of Osaka and Edo also varied. Osaka produced far fewer ukiyo-e designs than Edo did. As a consequence, Osaka prints are rarer and also some of the highest quality prints made in the 19th century, with many featuring deluxe techniques such as burnishing or embossing. Osaka prints are a rare and wonderful collecting area of Japanese woodblocks.

Comments - Fantastic kabuki triptych by Osaka artist Sadanobu II with a bold diagonal division across the subject. At upper left, a tennin or celestial being flies through the air against a red sky, beating a drum as her robes flutter around her. She wears a beautiful headdress with a phoenix, peony blossoms, and red beaded fringe, and she looks over her shoulder with a concerned expression at the artist at right, who has paused during his calligraphy to watch her. He holds a panel of writing in one hand and a brush in the other. His purple coat features an elegant burnished lozenge pattern and a green brocade collar, worn over a black kimono tied with a white sash. The background behind is white with an allover embossed pattern, with a sumi ink design of bamboo. The three concentric rice measure crest used by the Ichikawa Danjuro line of actors encloses the figure. A terrific, deluxe design in the rare oban format, detailed with burnishing in the black kimono and a metallic pigment on the tennin's red robe that has oxidized to a darker tone.

Artist - Sadanobu II (1848 - 1940)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Small hole, repaired. Horizontal centerfold. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases and small spots. Please see photos for details. Good overall.