Original late Edo period Utagawa Toyokuni, also known as Utagawa Kunisada, woodblock print of a performing kabuki actor shown here in onnagata, a female role costume. The style, signature and censor seals date this print to c. 1810 - 1820.
This ukiyo-e woodblock print was created by the renowned artist Toyokuni I (1769 -1825), also known as Utagawa Kunisada, a prominent bijin-ga artist in the early 19th c.
It portrays the famed kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo a specialist in female roles, onnagata, depicted with flowing robes and a drawn sword, an unusual fusion of grace and power in kabuki imagery.
The print style, the subject, and the use of subtle colours and delicate lines date this woodblock print to the late Edo period c.1810 - 1820, and place it within Toyokuni's mature period of actor prints.
Woodgrain impressions and pigment layering are clearly visible. The round seal is the artist's Tōshidama-in seal. commonly used by members of the Utagawa school, indicating authenticity. The hexagonal seal below it, that of publisher Kawaguchiya Uhei active in the early 19th c.
In image 8, the inscriptions to the left of the figure have been translated.
CONDITION: There is some very minor signs of foxing and age toning commensurate with age. The natural, vegetable dyes used at the time were notoriously delicate, and the blue has faded a little with time, but the image remains crisp and strong. Presented in a contemporary frame with a nylon cord attached to hooks verso.
This is one of four Japanese woodblock prints sourced from an important single owner collection. SEE LAST THREE IMAGES AND SEPARATE LISTINGS.
Please look carefully at the images as they form part of the description. WILL BE DISPATCHED PROTECTED IN POLYSTYRENE.
Frame height: 53 cms. Width: 40 cms. Depth: 2 cms. Image size inside mount: 35.5 X 24 cms. Weight: 1.64 Kgs.
Price: £175.00. FEATURED ARTIST'S EASEL FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES ONLY, AND NOT INCLUDED.
Postage: £16.95. UK mainland dispatch by ParcelForce 48 courier service. For overseas dispatch refer to details of eBay's Global Shipping Programme by clicking on SEE DETAILS in postage section under the BUY IT NOW button. Collection in person from South West London possible. CONTACT SELLER.
SKU: 12810.