Osaka Prints - Produced in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, Osaka prints or kamigata-e are instantly distinguishable from typical Edo ukiyo-e. A major difference is the choice of subject matter. Osaka prints were nearly always portraits of actors or kabuki scenes. In contrast, Edo print subjects included beauties, landscapes, nature scenes, warriors, and historic events, in addition to kabuki.

Distinctly different artistic styles also emerged in Edo and Osaka in the 18th and 19th century, resulting in certain recognizable characteristics for each area. Osaka prints feature more subtle, serious figures, reflecting the wagoto or soft style of acting prevalent in the area, along with distinctive facial expressions. The aragato or brash manner of acting popular in Edo influenced print designs towards bolder images of heroism and military prowess.

Much like the style of the prints, the demand for ukiyo-e in the cities of Osaka and Edo also varied. Osaka produced far fewer ukiyo-e designs than Edo did. As a consequence, Osaka prints are rarer and also some of the highest quality prints made in the 19th century, with many featuring deluxe techniques such as burnishing or embossing. Osaka prints are a rare and wonderful collecting area of Japanese woodblocks.

Comments - Terrific Osaka kabuki portrait of Jitsukawa Enzaburo I as the daimyo Fujiwara Yorikane in the play "Keisei Okuni Kabuki." Because Yorikane was neglecting his official duties spending time with his lover, the courtesan Takao, one of his retainers convinced the beauty to try to break off their affair. Yorikane became enraged, and killed Takao. Here, he leans forward with a tight-lipped expression, his eyes wide and brows slightly furrowed as Takao's tissues drift through the night air after he had attacked her with the sword behind his back. Rather than showing the attack itself, Kunikazu suggests the violence through the drifting papers, a restrained approach that heightens the tension of the scene. The portrait appears on the back of an uchiwa or flat fan, surrounded by bush clover in gray silhouette. A great kamigata-e design, also in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Artist - Kunikazu (active circa 1849 - 1867)

Image Size - 9 3/4" x 7 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Tiny tear, repaired. Slight soiling and creasing, a few stains at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.