Shini-e - Literally meaning "death prints," shini-e are a category of Japanese woodblock commemorating the death of a famous kabuki actor, or less commonly, an artist or musician. These memorial portraits often depict the actor dressed in light blue death robes, or portraying a famous role associated with the individual. Some include verses or death poems along with the actor's age and date of death, or a posthumous Buddhist name. Other conventional iconography includes lotus blossoms or petals, incense burners, and prayer beads. The tragic suicide of Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in 1854 at the age of thirty-two resulted in nearly 200 shini-e of the actor. Some shini-e are recycled from earlier kabuki prints with the background blocks recut so they could be rushed into production. Most shini-e are unsigned, although some include the artist's signature. These designs are an interesting area of collecting.

Unusual shini-e depicting Ichikawa Danjuro IX as a monk at left and Nakamura Utaemon IV as a warrior at right. The figure at lower left is Emma-o, the god of the underworld. At right, the warrior grabs the wrist of an old hag brandishing a large knife while a grimacing green horned demon behind him wields an iron club. Clouds edged with violet swirl overhead as pink lotus blossom petals fall through the dark night sky. Ichikawa Danjuro IX committed suicide in 1854, and Nakamura Utaemon died from a sudden illness in 1852. A striking design.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14" x 19" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. Vertical fold in right panel. Loss along edge, repaired. Slight soiling, rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.