Gekko's Essays - Begun in 1886, "Gekko's Essays" (Zuihitsu) is a wonderful series encompassing a wide range of subjects. Gekko depicts figures from history and mythology, including famous beauties, poets, scholars, and warriors, along with a few supernatural creatures. These handsome designs are rendered in Gekko's distinctive painterly style, with soft washes of color and flowing calligraphic line work, expertly printed by Matsuki Heikichi to capture these qualities. The series was completed by 1887, but woodblocks are found with dates up to 1899, proving the popularity of the designs, which continued to be printed. A great choice to collect or display.

Theater Performance of Yanone - Handsome design of a performance of the kabuki play "Yanone," of the eighteen plays made famous by the Ichikawa Danjuro line of actors. Here an actor portrays Soga Goro, the younger of the legendary Soga Brothers, holding an enormous arrow, poised in a fighting stance. A diagonal inset shows the theater audience watching with interest from a balcony. A dramatic composition with attractive color and detail in Goro's butterfly print kimono.

Artist - Gekko (1859 - 1920)

Image Size - 12 3/4" x 8 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Fold at corner. Hole at edge, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few spots and creases. Please see photos for details.