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Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Japanese, 1786-1864
Born in the Honjo district of Edo as Kunisada Tsunoda, Kunisada’s family owned a small hereditary ferryboat service. Though his father, an amateur poet, died when Kunisada was a child, the family business provided some financial security. During his childhood, he showed considerable promise in painting and drawing. Due to strong familial ties with literary and theatrical circles, he spent time studying actor portraits. At age 14, he was admitted to study under Toyokuni, head of the Utagawa school. Kunisada's work embodies the characteristics of the Utagawa school, focusing on traditional subjects such as kabuki, bijin (beautiful women), shunga (erotic prints), and historical prints. His first known print dates to 1807, his first illustrated book to 1808. Kunisada’s career took off from the beginning. Many of his works became overnight successes and he was considered the “star attraction” of the Utagawa school. He signed his works “Kunisada,” sometimes with the studio names of Gototei and Kochoro affixed. In 1844, he adopted the name of his teacher and became Toyokuni III. Kunisada passed away in 1864 in the same neighborhood that he was born. He was 70 years old. Kunis
Seishi Ai-oi Genji – Set of 12 Shunga works together w/astrological commentary
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Middletown, NY
Set of 12 woodblock prints in colors on handmade, laid mulberry paper, 6 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches (170 x 258 mm), printed in Ka-ei 4 (1851). Each print with minor handling wear, otherwise in excellent condition with bright and fresh color, and with details printed in silver ink. The images themselves contain several illusive characters indicating the publisher which are obfuscated by figures, as intended. Presented loose, as issued. A fine set. The astrological commentary print has a large and meandering blind stamp with a bird and palm frond motif. This print lists various phrases concerning the Twelve Zodiac Animals as historically counted in Japan, and appears to include erotic commentary on the traits of people born under each of the twelve signs. These Shunga images were issued in books that paralleled (in an erotic fashion...
Category

Mid-19th Century Edo Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Handmade Paper, Ink, Woodcut

Kabuki Actor, Mid 19th Century Figurative Japanese Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful mid 19th century figural Japanese woodblock print of a kabuki actor in blue by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada) (Japanese, 1786-1864/5). Artist's chop is in the upper left corner of the piece. Presented in a cream mat, with a black and red frame and plexiglas. Image size ~13.5"H x 9.5"W During his lifetime Kunisada Utagawa...
Category

1860s Edo Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Paper, Ink

Beauty Otami - Kabuki
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Beauty Otami - Kabuki Note: Kabuki actor Nakamura Matsue is in the role of courtesan otami. She is standing in front of a small tea shop in a garden. Color woodblock, c. 1800-1810 Si...
Category

Early 1800s Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Woodcut

'Tokaido' — Mt. Fuji Rising – Mid-Nineteenth Century Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Utagawa Kunisada (Tokoyuni III), 'Tokaido', color woodblock, 1863. Signed in the cartouche, lower right. A fine impression, with rich, fresh colors and pronounced woodgrain, the full...
Category

1860s Edo Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Woodcut

Elegant Amusements of Eastern Genji - Japanese Triptych Woodblock Print on Paper
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Soquel, CA
Elegant Amusements of Eastern Genji - Japanese Triptych Woodblock Print on Paper Dynamic woodblock print with several elegantly dressed figures by Utag...
Category

1850s Edo Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Paper, Ink, Woodcut

Shunga - Woodcut by Utagawa Kunisada - 1850s
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Roma, IT
Shunga is an original artwork realized in the 1850s by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). Making love in the winter on a terrace, behind the couple stone sculpture of the Jizo-Bosatsu. ...
Category

1850s Modern Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Woodcut

Kabuki Actor - Woodcut by Utagawa Kunisada - 1848/49
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Roma, IT
Kabuki Actor is a woodcut print realized by Utagawa Kunisada in 1848/49. Lifetime impression in very good condition, except for some very minor sign of time.
Category

1840s Modern Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Woodcut

Annual Events for Young Murasaki (July) - Tales of Genji - Japanese Woodblock
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Soquel, CA
Annual Events for Young Murasaki (July) - Tales of Genji - Japanese Woodblock Rightmost panel a triptych, depicting monthly events for Wakamurasaki (Young Murasaki). This is the month of July. There appears to be a lesson taking place, possibly for writing or poetry. Artist: Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864) Publisher: Ebisu-ya Shoshichist Presented in a new blue mat. Mat size: 19"H x 13"W Paper size: 14.5"H x 10"W Commentary on the triptych: In the Edo period, Tanabata was designated as one of the five seasonal festivals, and became an annual event for the imperial court, aristocrats, and samurai families, and gradually came to be celebrated by the general public. Its origins are said to be a combination of the Kikoden festival, which originated from the Chinese legend of Altair and the Weaver Girl, and Japan's ancient Tanabata women's faith. Ink is ground with dew that has accumulated on potato leaves, poems and wishes are written on five colored strips of paper, which are then hung on bamboo branches to celebrate the two stars that meet once a year. Although the illustration is a Genji painting...
Category

1850s Realist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Materials

Printer's Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

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Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2025$330Figurative PrintsWoodcut Print1860 ca.
2025$619Figurative Prints, Landscape PrintsRice Paper, Printer's Ink, Woodcut Print1857
2025$2,600Prints, PrintsPaper1857
2025$380Figurative Prints, Interior PrintsPaper, Ink, Woodcut Print1854
2024$450Figurative PrintsPaper, Ink, Woodcut Print1850
2024$1,600PrintsWood, Paper19th century
2024$200PrintsPaper20th Century
2024$665Figurative PrintsWoodcut Print1857
$863
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$200-$2,600
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Utagawa Kunisada (toyokuni Iii) art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) in handmade paper, mulberry paper, paper and more. Not every interior allows for large Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) art, so small editions measuring 30 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Utagawa Yoshitora, Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige), and J. J. Grandville. Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,600 and tops out at $3,600, while the average work can sell for $3,600.

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