Comments - Terrific okubi-e or large head kabuki portrait of Sawamura Tanosuke III as Princess Yaegaki, the daughter of Nagao Kenshin, in the famous play "Honcho Nijushiko." She looks to the side with a slight smile, her hair pulled back into a large bun adorned with a cluster of small blue blossoms and rectangular fringe, with longer locks falling over her shoulder. She wears a red kimono patterned with chrysanthemums and swirling water over a red kimono with a softly shaded light blue collar. This design is from an untitled series of kabuki okubi-e completed a few years before the artist's death. These images are considered some of the best kabuki portraits Toyokuni III ever did. Exquisitely carved and printed, with fine line work in the hair, embossing in the white kimono trim, and handsome wood grain impression in the sky. A striking, expressive design, also in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 3/8" x 9" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Backed with paper. Stitching holes at left edge, a few wormholes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.