A Fuji Arts Early Spring Exhibition Item - We are excited to have purchased a couple Japanese collections with a range of rare and sought after designs. We’ve put them together in an early spring exhibition and will post them over one week. The items range from Edo through Meiji and up to contemporary. So, there’s something for everyone. The unifying theme is that each print is a great example or very rare item to find in the market. Enjoy shopping the Early Spring Exhibition.

Ichikawa Sadanji II as Marubashi Chuya, 1931 - Striking Natori Shunsen kabuki portrait of Ichikawa Sadanji II as Marubashi Chuya in the "Honmaru-jo gaihoribata" scene of the play "Keian Taiheiki." He stares ahead sullenly, sneering slightly as he takes a toothpick from his mouth. He wears a rust-colored coat with a blue patterned collar, the top of his hair visible in the bushy end of a knot at the back of his head. His brows are heavy, his unshaven chin shadowed in blue-gray, a few loose wisps of hair on his head giving him a rather unkempt appearance. The walls and towers of a castle are visible behind him in soft gray silhouette, along with bridges arching over the moat. A terrific, expressive shin-hanga design, beautifully detailed with fine bokashi shading in the face on the cheeks and around the eyes.

Signed - Shunsen, with red artist's seal "Shunsen"
Publisher - Watanabe

Artist - Natori Shunsen (1886 - 1960)

Image Size - 14 5/8" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.