Flowers of Edo and Views of Famous Places - Terrific design from an 1862 - 1865 series by Toyokuni III pairing kabuki actors with famous areas of Edo, done in collaboration with several different artists. Toyokuni III created the large actor portraits, while other artists such as Hiroshige II, Sadahide, Kunihisa, and Kyosai contributed the landscape designs and other scenes across the top. The term "Flowers of Edo" in the title here refers to fires, and each title cartouche features the standard or matoi and lantern of a different Edo fire brigade. The expressive portraits are beautifully detailed with fine line work and an intricate wood grain background. A beautifully printed series, with many images featuring fine shading, embossing, or touches of burnishing. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has many prints from this series in its collection. A great choice for a kabuki enthusiast.

Kite Flying Triptych, 1863 - This fantastic and rare triptych from the series "Flowers of Edo" features a kite-flying theme, with a kite string running continuously across all three panels to connect to the yakko-dako or man kite depicting a yakko or low ranking servant at upper right. At left, a young boy holds the end of the kite string, while the image at right shows a street musician knocked in the head by a falling kite with an image of Okame, the goddess of mirth. At left, a large kite of Daruma flies above alongside a smaller yakko-dako and a bird kite. In the center, a man goes flying up into the sky along with a bird kite, the broken string fluttering in the air, while at bottom two men rush forward, alarmed by his flight. At right, the yakko-dako kite floats above, detailed with burnishing in the black kimono and socks. From left to right, the individual panels are: Shi Brigade, Fifth Group, Imai: Ichikawa Kuzo III as Imai Shiro Kanehira; Ma Brigade, Fifth Group, Mikawadai: Ichikawa Ichizo III as Kanto Koroku; and Ma Brigade, Fifth Group, Akasaka: Onoe Tamizo II as an Akasaka yakko kite. A terrific image of a memorable subject with wonderful color and detail, cleverly composed. Includes burnishing on the black robe of the yakko-dako. Rare to find complete.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 1/8" x 26 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Backed with paper. Vertical centerfold in each panel. Slight toning and soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.