Comments - Bold, okubi-e or large head portrait of an actor wearing a striped robe, scowling as he looks over his shoulder. His thinning hair is pulled back into a narrow topknot, and he has a blue cloth tied around his neck. Wonderful calligraphic line work in the folds of the clothing. A handsome early kabuki design.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Shunko (1743 - 1812)

Image Size - 14 3/4" x 9 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details. Good overall.