Famous Restaurants of the Eastern Capital - Handsome print from a collaborative series by Toyokuni III and Hiroshige, published between 1852 and 1853. Toyokuni III created the large actor portraits in the foreground, with Hiroshige designing the smaller landscape and still-life insets relating to the featured restaurant or its location. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has many of these images in its collection. These attractive designs are beautifully colored and detailed, making them a great choice for a collector interested in Edo era woodblocks.

The Kinoeneya Restaurant, 1853 - Handsome kabuki portrait of Matsumoto Koshiro as Soroku in the drama "Go-taiheiki Shiroishi-banashi." He holds a pipe as he looks up with anxiously, frowning with brows slightly furrowed. Soroku is the owner of a brothel, and he overhears the courtesan Miyagino learning from her sister that their father has been killed. The sisters vow to avenge his death, but Soroku wisely advises them to wait for the right moment to act, just like the famous Soga Brothers. He wears a dark blue kimono with a barely visible black floral pattern, a white towel draped over one shoulder. The lovely Hiroshige landscape above shows Mukojima-mazaki seen from across the water, with torii gates leading to the fenced grounds, the sky above shaded a soft rose. A nice design.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) and Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 9 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Some holes, repaired. Some soiling. Please see photos for details.