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 Sugisaka Restaurant: Bando Mitsuemon as Yataro, 1852 - Great portrait of as Bando Mitsuemon as Yataro in the popular kabuki play "Imoseyama Onna Teikin." Gripping a heavy rope over his shoulder, he stares ahead with wide eyes and mouth agape, astonished at what he sees. One sleeve of his plaid outer kimono has been pushed down to the waist, revealing a red and white tie-dyed under robe. His hair is pulled back into a topknot, with a blue and white towel tied around his forehead. The inset at upper left shows the entrance of the Sugisaka Restaurant in Genyadana, with a lantern and upright pine trees. The hexagonal inset shows some of the fresh seafood available at the restaurant, with a shallow wooden tub of fish and fresh herbs and roots at left. A bold 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. Soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details.