Onoe Kikugoro V as Iwafuji

by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Current Status

Onoe Kikugoro V as Iwafuji by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Original Kunichika (1835 - 1900) Japanese Woodblock Print
Onoe Kikugoro V as Iwafuji

Series; Twenty-four Favorites of Enlightenment, 1877

Twenty-four Favorites of Enlightenment - Handsome design from a rarely seen Kunichika series pairing kabuki portraits with small scenes extolling modern inventions or modernized activities from the Meiji era, the "Enlightenment" of the title. These examples include rickshaws, streetlights, telegraph lines, steamships, and horse-drawn carriages. The figures are beautifully drawn and detailed with lively color, set off by a deep red background framed by a yellow border featuring confetti-like shapes. Some images includes deluxe publishing techniques such as burnishing and embossing. The series title is sometimes translated as "Twenty-four Favorites of New Civilization" or "Twenty-four Favorites of the Meiji Restoration." An interesting and unusual series.

Special detail - Embossing on the white kimono collar and folding fan.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 9 3/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. A few prints have slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Generally in nice condition overall.

Onoe Kikugoro V as Iwafuji by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)
Onoe Kikugoro V as Iwafuji by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)