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Masamitsu Ota
Fuwa, Kabuki Actor

1931

About the Item

Fuwa, Kabuki actor Color woodblock, 1931 From: “Kabuki Jahachi-Ban” (Eighteen Kabuki Plays) by the Ichikawa Family Publisher: Gekiga Kanko Kai Carver: Okura Hanbei Printer: Shinmi Yohei Signed: with the artist’s signature and seal upper right Condition: Mint, fresh colors, original folder Sheet/Image size: 8 x 7 1/8 inches The print comes with the original presenation folder with ornamental patterns on the bacjground and a sheet of explaination of the play in Japanese. "Ota Masamitsu was born in 1892 (died 1975). He is also known by the name of Ota Gako. He was active for the kabuki theater, and made book illustrations in this field. Ota Masamitsu began as a print artist after world war II. It is said that he had made one design for the famous Tokyo publisher Watanabe Shozaburo. But we have never seen such a design. For sure and well-known are two series of twelve prints each, that were published by Banchoro studio. The first series was published around 1950 and was titled 'Showa Butai Sugata' (Figures of Showa Stage). The second series was published around 1955 and was titled 'Gendai Butai Geika' (Figures of Modern Stage). The carver was Ito Susumu and the printer Ito Shuntaro." Courtesy Artelino "Masamitsu Ota also known as Ōta Gako (太田 雅光, Ōta Masamitsu, 1892–1975) was a Japanese print-maker. He was one of the masters of the shin hanga movement. His work consisted mostly of kabuki actor prints that emphasized the individual personality of the actors, showcased through rich colors and exquisite patterns of complex design. Ota had a lifelong involvement with kabuki theater, illustrating volumes on major kabuki plays and famous kabuki costumes. His two most important set of actor prints, Showa Butai Sugata (1950) and Gendai Butai Geika (1955) were published by the Banchoro studio. These sets, of twelve prints each, exhibit a very high level of realism, achieved through the use of western techniques of perspective and through beautiful shading (bokashi) and attention to detail." Courtesy Wikipedia
  • Creator:
    Masamitsu Ota (1892 - 1975, Japanese)
  • Creation Year:
    1931
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 7.13 in (18.12 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Exceptional, Very fresh colors and condition Identations on the four corners asscoiated with presentation folder.
  • Gallery Location:
    Fairlawn, OH
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: UK22691stDibs: LU14015326842

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