Original Yoshitoshi Japanese Print Book
Seven Brilliant Stars, 1876
Complete series with seven prints

Seven Brilliant Stars- Yoshitoshi created the series "Seven Brilliant Stars" to mark the premiere of the play "Oto ni hibiku sennari hisago" at the Shintomi Theater in Tokyo on September 15, 1876. The series depicts kabuki actors in roles from the drama, based on the story of the treacherous 16th century daimyo Takechi Mitsuhide. Each print features a bold portrait in a rectangular inset, set against a background relating to the character or scene, with the title cartouche at the right edge. The subjects include, from left to right and top to bottom in the group photo: Fire of the Signal Fire: Ichikawa Sadanji as Sakuma Morimasa; Sun of Advancement: Bando Hikosaburo as Hashiba Hideyoshi; Moon at Katata: Ichikawa Danjuro as Saito Kuranosuke; Lake Water: Ichikawa Sadanji as Akechi Samenosuke; Metal at Bain (Umajirushi): Ichikawa Danjuro as Shibata Katsuie; Earth at Ogurusu: Bando Hikosaburo V as Akechi Mitsuhide; and Wood of the Plum Tree: Sawamura Tossho as Maeda Toshiie.

They are beautifully printed with vibrant color, crisp line work, and fine bokashi shading, including three colors in the title cartouche. Some of the images include deluxe printing treatments such as burnishing, embossing or a dusting of mica across the top of the sky. 

This Complete Set - This set includes all seven prints from the series, in beautiful condition. Each print has full margins and has not been trimmed. These terrific designs are seldom seen in the market, and we've never come across a complete series before. This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a rarely seen Yoshitoshi kabuki series in great condition, and an excellent choice for the discerning collector.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)
Size - 14 1/4" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown
Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Faint vertical centerfold, now flattened. Two holes in top margin from previous binding, one print has a small hole in subject, repaired. Seals in lower left margin. Please see photos for details. Very nice condition overall.