Early Edo Woodblocks - Handsome design from a group of early Edo era woodblocks by 18th and 19th century master artists such as Hokusai, Eizan, Eisen, Toyokuni I, and others. This terrific selection of illustrations includes beauties, kabuki portraits, and scenes from everyday life, depicting traditional tales and novels, as well as the new "floating world," in wonderful detail. This is a terrific offering of classic, early designs, and a wonderful opportunity to add a work by a renowned ukiyo-e artist to any collection.

The 47 Ronin, Act 8: Michiyuki (The Bride's Journey) - This is an unusual "crepe" print, known in Japanese as "chirimen-gami-e," which literally means "compressed thread paper print." After the woodblock was printed in the traditional manner, the print went through a mechanical process that added a crinkled texture while also considerably reducing the size. The print was dampened and layered with a cardboard mold incised with parallel lines, then wrapped around an upright wooden post on a lever press. An opening in the lever fit over the post, and when pressed down over post, compressed the paper into the incised lines on the cardboard mold. This process would be repeated as many as 10 or more times, with the print slightly reoriented each time to achieve a uniform, highly textured, crinkled appearance similar to crepe paper.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 7 7/8" x 12 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Paper remnants on reverse at edges from previous mounting. Slight toning and soiling., slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details.