Selected Underworld Characters for the Six Poetic Immortals - Terrific actor portrait from a creative Toyokuni III series pairing kabuki rogues with the "Six Immortals" of Japanese waka poetry. These great designs feature a bold half-length figure set against a dark ground, with an inset shape containing a poem and different flowers framing the title cartouche. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this series in its collection. Beautifully colored and detailed, these terrific prints are a great choice for a kabuki or poetry enthusiast.

The Imitation Kuronushi: Nakamura Shikan IV as Ishikawa Goemon - Terrific depiction of the Nakamura Shikan IV playing the well-known robber Ishikawa Goemon, the subject of many kabuki plays. After attempting to kill the powerful lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he was sentenced to death by boiling. He stands looking over his shoulder with a smirk, his arms firmly folded across his chest. He wears a black tunic over a pale yellow and white robe, on top of armor trimmed with fur at the wrist. His hair is styled into a loose topknot over a halo of shorter hair, which sticks out rather wildly around his head. Beautifully detailed with burnished scroll design in the tunic, cloth embossing in the kimono, and a dusting of mica across the top of the night sky. A great design of this legendary outlaw.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse from previous backing and mounting. Small U-shaped tear, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases and marks. Please see photos for details. Good overall.