Utagawa Kunikazu Prints and Multiples

Snowy scene in the kabuki play, "Senryo Tazuna Koi no Somekomi" performed at Naka theater. Actors Arashi Rikaku II (right) is in the role of the footman Yakko Ippei. Onoe Tamizo II as the horse groomer Bashi Edohei (center), and Arashi Kichisaburô III pla Each sheet signed in the block Format Japanese: Chuban Triptych Color woodblock triptych. c. 1857 Publisher and carver seals on each sheet A similar image was created by Yoshitaki Ichiyosai (1841-1899), with the figures in the same positions, holding the same sash Utagawa Kunikazu 歌川国員 (active 1848-1868*) Little is known about Kunikazu who was active in the Osaka area between 1848 and 1868.1 While several sources list him as a student of Utagawa Kunisada I (1786–1865), a.k.a. Toyokuni III, others list him as a student of Toyokuni I and Toyokuni II without mentioning Kunisada.2 Mainly known for his prints of the kabuki theater, Roberts calls him a "highly accomplished technician"3 and Schwaab writes that "his better theatrical material produced between 1853 and the advent of aniline colors, includes some remarkably fine designs and an extraordinary level of printing."4 In addition to theater prints...

Snowy scene in the kabuki play, "Senryo Tazuna Koi no Somekomi" performed at Naka theater. Actors Arashi Rikaku II (right) is in the role of the footman Yakko Ippei. Onoe Tamizo II as the horse groomer Bashi Edohei (center), and Arashi Kichisaburô III pla Each sheet signed in the block Format Japanese: Chuban Triptych Color woodblock triptych...

Signed: ‘Kunikazu’; Artist's seal Note: Actors Arashi Rikan III as Inuzaka Keno (right) and Arashi Kichisaburo III as Inuta Kobungo in Act 6 of the play “Yatsu no Hanafusa”. The pla...