c.1863

By Toyohara Kunichika (30 June 1835–1 July 1900)

Kunichika was a Japanese woodblock print artist. Talented as a child, at about thirteen he became a student of Tokyo's then-leading print maker, Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865).

His deep appreciation and knowledge of kabuki drama led to his production primarily of yakusha-e, which are woodblock prints of kabuki actors and scenes from popular plays of the time.

Woodblock printing in Japan was a technique best known for its use in the ukiyo-e. Widely adopted in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868).

Cropped; minor creasing.

350 x 245mm

R2,000