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 kabuki portrait of Nakamura Shikan IV as the great warrior Higuchi no Jiro Kanemitsu, a retainer of the twelfth century Minamoto warrior Yoshinaka. After Yoshinaka's death, Kanemitsu rescued his master's son and escaped, disguised as the boatman Matsuemon. Here, the boatman is perched in a pine tree to keep watch, grimacing with alarm as he spies rival Genji troops coming after him in the distance. He shields his eyes with his hand, his hair blowing wildly around his face, still gripping an oar in his other hand. He wears a blue shirt with a distinctive tie-dyed pattern favored by boatmen over a black undergarment, his colorful kimono pushed down to the waist. The pine tree is rendered in beautiful calligraphic strokes. A bold composition with fantastic detail, including fine line work in the hair and burnishing in the black undergarment.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 28" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Small tear at edge, a couple holes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases and small spot, small rubbed spot. Please see photos for details. Good overall.