Vintage

Japanese woodblock print illustrating a famous scene from the Kabuki theater.

Artist: Yamamoto Shoun (1870-1965)

 

Origin and Subject: "Kyo Ningyo"

The large vertical text on the left, "京人形" (Kyō Ningyo), translates to "Kyoto Doll." This refers to a celebrated Kabuki play where a master sculptor (Hidari Jingorō) falls in love with a doll he has carved. In the play, the doll magically comes to life and begins to dance.

 

• The Characters: The man seated on the left is the sculptor, and the standing woman on the right is the doll/courtesan who has been brought to life.

 

• Symbolism: Notice the mirror or mallet often associated with this play's plot. The text between the figures likely describes the specific act or poetic dialogue from the performance.

 

Artist and Age

The inscriptions on the right-hand side provide clues to the creator and the piece's history:

 

• Artist: The signature "昇雲" (Shōun) refers to Yamamoto Shōun (1870–1965), a famous artist of the Meiji and Taishō eras known for his Bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) and theatrical prints.

 

• Inscription: The text "八十三翁" means "83-year-old man." This indicates Shōun created the original work when he was 83 years old (around 1953).

 

• Production: While the original painting dates to the early 1950s, this specific print was likely published by a company like Uchida or Kyoto Hanga-in during the mid-to-late 20th century (1950s–1970s) for the collector market.

Estimated dimensions:

· Framed size: 12 inches in length and 13.5 inches in height

· Image dimensions: 9.5 inches in length and 10.5 inches in height

 

  Condition: This woodblock print is displayed within a frame and has developed yellow spots due to its age, while still retaining its original condition. The frame shows some scratches and dents as a consequence of its age.

Please carefully review all pictures attached.

Thank you for looking!