Toyokuni III's Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido - Toyokuni III's 1852 series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" pairs kabuki portraits with the stations along the famous Tokaido Road. Each design features a half-length figure in the foreground, with a border of clouds separating the actor from the landscape above. Interestingly, the title cartouche of each print is framed by different objects related to the kabuki character or play, including armor and weapons, household objects, flowers, horse equipment, and traveler's clothing and baggage. The large expressive characters are beautifully drawn and detailed, with fine line work in the hair and soft bokashi shading in the backgrounds.

The exact number of prints for the series is unclear, because two prints exist for some stations, and some intermediate stations are also included. Where there are two designs of the same subject, the background landscape continues across the two prints. This handsome series proved extremely popular when released, and remains a favorite of collectors today.

Kanagawa: Ichikawa Ibizo V as Watashimori Tombei - Incredible kabuki portrait of Ichikawa Ibizo V as the treacherous ferryman Tombei. In this dramatic scene, Tombei is enraged to learn that his daughter has allowed the outlaw Nitta Yoshimine to escape when he has been planning to capture him for the reward money. His face is contorted with anger, his curly white hair and beard framing his reddened skin. He wears a typical ferryman's blue and yellow tied-dyed shirt over a black undergarment, gripping his sword tightly. A great design with delicate embossing in Tombei's hair and beard, and soft shading in the night sky. A terrific expressive image.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. A couple tears and slight thinning at edges, repaired. Creasing, slight toning, soiling, and ink offsetting. Please see photos for details. Good overall.