Kabuki Scene from "Kanjincho"

This is a Kabuki scene  taken from Tenno Kabuki 's important play Kanjincho , held during the Meiji Era in the House of the Minister Kaoru Inoue at the presence of the Emperor Akinori Aki and of the Princess Akira Terada.

This piece is attributed to the Ukiyo-e Master Kunichika Toyohara (Oshima Yasohachi) , who specialised in representations of Kabuki scenes on woodcut blocks. This is the important and celebrated event (1887-04-26) that gave to the Kabuki Theatre an official role (thanks to the presence of the Emperor during the representation) into the Japanese culture. The main actor is Ichikawa Sadanji , playing the role of Mr. Togashi. The artwork is part of a famous large triptych depicting the whole scene.

Very good conditions, intact sheet, vivid and shiny colors, and beautiful inking.

Kunichika Toyohara (1835-1900)

Born as Yasohachi Arakawa, Kunichika was pupil of the unito-e artist Chikanobu, who gave him his artistic pseudonym. After studying with Kunisada, Kunichika became the leading artist representing Kabuki scenes during the second half of the 19th century. He was chosen to represent Japanese Art during the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris.