Antique Japanese Original Woodblock Print Triptych by Kunisada -Revenge of Soga Brothers- c.1844
Presented is a beautiful Japanese full oban-size woodblock print - diptych- created by the renowned artist of the late Edo period, Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1864), also known as Kunisada I and Toyokuni III. He was one of the most prominent artists and printmakers during the late Edo era (1600-1864) and the most productive of all ukiyo-e artists - he had created about 20,000 images, each of them printed in several hundred prints.
This print is a triptych - a three-sheet print called "Revenge of the Soga Brothers" or "Tora Gozen and the Soga Brothers". This is a scene from the famous tale of the Soga Brothers - "Soga Monogatari".
On the center sheet, the older brother Soga Juro pays a visit to his beloved courtesan, the beautiful Tora gozen. He sits beside an oil lamp, writing a final poem, knowing that tomorrow he may face his death when he and his brother finally avenge their father's death. The beauty smiles at him gently as she holds a comb, a young attendant placing a basin of water at his feet, unaware that she may never see him again.
His younger brother, Soga Goro, waits patiently outside, holding his bow and hat, his horse nearby. A full moon glows softly in the night sky, framed by the delicate white blossoms of a cherry tree. A lovely and poignant image, with beautiful detail in the handsome interior setting.
The print was made using the Japanese woodblock technique in 1847 during Kunisada's lifetime. All three sheets of the triptych are signed with Kunisada's signature (Kunisada aratame Nidai Toyokuni ga (on right and center sheets), Ōju Kunisada aratame Nidai Toyokuni ga (on left sheet)) and stamped with the publisher's seal of Yamamatoya Heikichi (Eikyudo).
AUTHOR: Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
PUBLISHER: Yamamatoya Heikichi (Eikyudo)
TITLE: "Tora Gozen and the Soga Brothers" (descriptive)
PAPER: washi paper
METHOD OF PRINTING: Woodblock printing
PRINTED: Lifetime printing circa 1844
PRINT SIZE: Three sheets 14" X 9.3" (28" X 14" altogether)
The condition is good. Great detail and colors, some toning and soiling of the paper. Several holes repaired on the back. Vertical folds. Margins are trimmed. The prints are backed with washi paper. Please see the photos for the detailed conditions.
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