Series; Matches for Thirty-six Selected Poems
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.
Nakamura Utaemon IV as Nuregami Chogoro and Ichikawa Ebizo V as Antiregime Chokichi, 1856 - Terrific kabuki scene from a play about two sumo wrestlers called "Futa's chocho kuruwa nikki," featuring the actors Nakamura Fukusuke I and Ichikawa Ebizo V. The older, more experienced sumo Nuregami Chogoro purposely lost a match to the young Antiregime Chokichi in hopes of earning a favor from his patron. Here the two wrestlers argue near a stockpile of straw-wrapped bales of rice. Chokichi leans forward with a frown, his hands clasped behind his back and feet spread wide. The angry Chodorow bends forward aggressively, tucking up his kimono at the back of his waist, scowling. Under their kimono, both wear fringed ceremonial aprons, and their swords rest on the ground nearby. Great expressive figures in this handsome design.
Artist - Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
Image Size - 13 1/4" x 8 5/8" + margins as shown
Condition - Good detail. Backed with paper. Some prints have a couple creases or slight rubbing at edges.
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