Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Shinchunagon Taira Tomomori, 1856

Matches for Thirty-six Selected Poems - Handsome design from Kunisada's 1856 - 1857 series pairing kabuki scenes with Japan's famous "Thirty-six Poems," an anthology of waka verses by 6th - 9th century poets. Each print features actors in nicely detailed settings, with a still-life by Gengyo Miyagi and a poem in an inset above. Beautifully detailed and printed, many designs include deluxe publishing techniques such as embossing or burnishing. The series title is also translated as "The Thirty-six Outstanding Poems." An interesting group with expressive figures.

Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Shinchunagon Taira Tomomori, 1856 - Fantastic image of Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the ghost of the great samurai Shinchunagon Taira no Tomomori, gripping a large anchor with both hands, his face a ghastly shade of blue. The warrior wears white vest patterned with the Taira butterfly crest over his armor, his hair flowing wildly around his head, broken arrows protruding from his shoulder plates. At the naval battle of Dan-no-ura where the Taira were defeated by their Minamoto rivals, Tomomori committed suicide by tying himself to anchor and leaping into the sea. His ghost returned to haunt Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He poses on a rugged rock, with undulating blue waves beyond. A wonderfully expressive design and a great subject for collectors interested in the samurai tradition. Includes embossing on the white vest and bokashi shading on the water.

Artist - Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 8 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Nice detail. Backed with paper. Wormhole and a couple small holes in margins, repaired. Creasing and slight rubbing at edges.