Early Edo Woodblocks - Handsome design from a group of early Edo era woodblocks by 18th and 19th century master artists such as Hokusai, Eizan, Eisen, Toyokuni I, and others. This terrific selection of illustrations includes beauties, kabuki portraits, and scenes from everyday life, depicting traditional tales and novels, as well as the new "floating world," in wonderful detail. This is a terrific offering of classic, early designs, and a wonderful opportunity to add a work by a renowned ukiyo-e artist to any collection.

Toyokuni I's Kabuki Portraits - The great ukiyo-e master Toyokuni I is best known for his expressive kabuki designs. His portraits were part of a new trend in creating actor images that more closely resembled the real actor as seen on stage, rather than the idealized portraits that predominated the genre earlier. Toyokuni I dominated the field of actor portraits for nearly three decades, creating bold, dynamic images in his own recognizable style.

Bando Mitsugoro as a Courtesan with a Dragon Obi - Terrific kabuki portrait of a courtesan reading a letter, pausing to look back over her shoulder with a disdainful sneer. She wears a beautiful black outer kimono with a design of traditional New Year's decorations, including a bundled of pine and bamboo and a sacred shimenawa rope, which hangs off her shoulders in a three-dimensional effect. Her obi is patterned with a fierce dragon and swirling clouds, and her long hair is arranged with tortoiseshell combs and hairpins. A cartouche at upper left takes the form of a leaf. A great expressive figure.

Artist - Toyokuni I (1769 - 1825)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 1/2"

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Horizontal centerfold. Slight creasing, vertical wrinkle on face. Please see photos for details.