Era: Meiji period

Antique Japanese Woodblock Print – Otsu-e Style “Kagekiyo Breaking Out of Prison” – Attributed to Torii Kiyonobu – Tan-e (Hand-Colored Print)

This is an antique Japanese woodblock print, rendered in the Otsu-e style, depicting the powerful and dramatic subject of “Kagekiyo Breaking Out of Prison” (Rōyaburi no Kagekiyo). The work is attributed to Torii Kiyonobu (late 17th to early 18th century), one of the founding figures of the early ukiyo-e movement.

The piece is created in the early hand-colored woodblock technique known as Tan-e (丹絵), using vivid pigments of red, black, and orange. Its bold outlines and expressive features capture the energetic spirit of popular Edo-period art, and clearly reflect the Torii school’s deep connection to Kabuki theatre.

Otsu-e, originally a form of folk painting sold to travelers in the post town of Ōtsu near Kyoto, often depicted moral, religious, or satirical themes. This print represents a rare fusion of the folk simplicity of Otsu-e with the narrative and theatrical flair of ukiyo-e, making it a culturally and artistically fascinating piece.

SIZE

31.5cm×15.5cm
Condition: used : There is some scuffing but no tears or creases.