Ichikawa Kodanji IV as a Fireman, 1860 - Great kabuki portrait of Ichikawa Kodanji IV as a fireman, making his way to a fire on a dark night. He looks ahead with a sober frown as he lifts his lantern high. He wears a beautifully quilted fireman's jacket with a design of splashing waves and coral, over a quilted shirt with a geometric print. Behind him, the lanterns of other fireman rushing to the site can be seen against the sky. Hand-applied dark red pigment is spattered across the dark night sky to represent ashes or embers drifting from the fire. A nice expressive figure with wonderful detail in the quilting, embossing in the lantern, and fine line work in the hair.

Artist - Yoshitsuya (1822 - 1866)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Very slight paper remnants on reverse at edges from previous mounting. Slight toning. Writing in red on background. Please see photos for details.