Parodies of Reputation - Interesting design from Toyokuni III's 1862 kabuki series "Parodies of Reputation" (Mitate hyoban ki). The word "mitate" in the title means "liken," and can refer to parodies, comparisons, or imagined performances. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston translates the series title as "An Imaginary Guidebook." Each print presents a full-length portrait of an actor against a softly shaded night sky with two fan-shaped text insets. Objects such as a lantern or a bench seen at the edge of the image suggest street settings. A rarely seen series with expressive figures and nice detail in the fabrics.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 9 5/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse from previous backing. Rippling, wrinkling, curling, slight soiling, mark. Please see photos for details.