Ota Masamitsu - A leading kabuki artist of the later shin-hanga period, Ota Masamitsu is best known for his two, 12 print portrait series, "Figures of the Showa Stage" and "Leading Figures of the Modern Stage in their Most Famous Roles," published by Banchoro during the 1950s. In Ota’s works, we see the evolution of the shin-hanga actor print towards more realistic portraiture. His designs incorporate Western style shading and perspective to create a much more three-dimensional image, along with beautifully precise line work and saturated color. Ota Masamitsu's kabuki portraits are comparable to those of the better known Natori Shunsen, but Ota's work remains little known and his woodblocks are rarely seen in the market. His powerful and expressive portraits capture the individual personality of the performer, and are a great choice for a kabuki enthusiast or shin-hanga collector.

This First Edition Print - This print is from the first edition release of the "Leading Figures of the Modern Stage in their Most Famous Roles," which was issued in a limited edition of 200 prints of each design. Each impression features an embossed number in the lower right corner of the margin. Don’t miss this opportunity to collect a classic and rare limited edition kabuki portrait by Ota Masamitsu.

Publisher - Banchoro
Limited edition number - 10, embossed in lower right margin

Artist - Ota Masamitsu (1892 - 1975)

Image Size - 14 5/8" x 9 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Drying holes near left corners. Slight toning, a few small spots. Please see photos for details. Good overall.