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Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Japanese, 1769-1825
Utagawa Toyokuni[a] (歌川 豊国; 1769 – 24 February 1825), also often referred to as Toyokuni I, to distinguish him from the members of his school who took over his gō (art-name) after he died, was a great master of ukiyo-e, known in particular for his kabuki actor prints. He was the second head of the renowned Utagawa school of Japanese woodblock artists, and was the artist who elevated it to the position of great fame and power it occupied for the rest of the nineteenth century. He was born, the son of Kurahashi Gorobei, a carver of dolls and puppets, including replicas of kabuki actors. At around 14, Toyokuni was apprenticed to the first head of the Utagawa house, Utagawa Toyoharu, whom his father knew well and who lived nearby. One of his fellow pupils under Toyoharu was Toyohiro, whose pupil was the great landscape artist Hiroshige. In recognition of his artistic ability, Toyokuni later took the name Utagawa Toyokuni, following the common practice of using one syllable of his master's name. Toyokuni seems not to have been an "intuitive genius"determined to forge a new path; rather, he seems to have studied intently those who came before him, particularly Utamaro, Chōbunsai Eishi and Eishōsai Chōki and through a great deal of hard work produced first a mastery, and then a synthesis of their styles, to create a style of his own. He was known mostly for his prints related to the kabuki theatre, in particular his yakusha-e actor portraits, a field which he took to new heights. He also, however, produced other genres such as musha-e warrior prints, shunga erotica, and most notably bijin-ga. In his actor prints, like Sharaku, one sees the real subject; but his prints merely portrayed what he saw, unlike Sharaku who exaggerated those aspects he saw as the most key. It is said of Toyokuni's prints that they recreate exactly what one would see on stage; they show actors acting, not merely just pictures of actors. Together, these characteristics made Toyokuni's prints far more popular among theatre-goers than Sharaku's, although history has come to judge Sharaku the keener observer and greater artist. His popularity and prolific output may in part have been his undoing, though. From 1803 through 1817, his work became more static, even as it became more popular. He continued to produce large quantities of prints, but the quality as a rule did not match that of his earlier days. Occasional prints from this period, however, show his old brilliance
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Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni
Kabuki Actor with Pine-Patterned Robe - Japanese Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Soquel, CA
Kabuki Actor with Pine-Patterned Robe - Japanese Woodblock Print Finely detailed woodblock by Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825). A kabuki actor is standing on a wooden deck, wearing a robe with a pine-needle pattern. He is holding a sword and a staff. In the background, tree branches hang down from out of frame. Presented in a gold colored frame with a silk mat. Frame size: 20"H x 14.25"W Image size: 14"H x 8.5"W Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825) was born in Edo, the son of Kurahashi Gorobei, a carver of dolls and puppets...
Category

Early 19th Century Impressionist Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Kabuki Actor in Water Lily Robe with Samurai Sword - Japanese Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Soquel, CA
Kabuki Actor in Water Lily Robe with Samurai Sword- Japanese Woodblock Print Finely detailed woodblock by Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825). A kabuki actor ("Master Haranyuki Sawamura") is standing on stage with mountainous backdrop, wearing a robe in a water lily pattern. He is wearing a samurai sword. Presented in a gold colored frame with a silk mat. Frame size: 20"H x 14.25"W Image size: 14"H x 9"W Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825) was born in Edo, the son of Kurahashi Gorobei, a carver of dolls and puppets...
Category

Early 19th Century Edo Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

"Various Himochi" Wagashi Festival Japanese Woodblock Print by Utagawa Toyokuni
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Soquel, CA
"Various Himochi" Wagashi Festival Japanese Woodblock Print by Utagawa Toyokuni Rare oversized early 19th century 5-tiered woodblock by Utagawa Ichiyosai Toyokuni, (Japan, 1769-1825), a Japanese lord and wife oversee a sekku festival of food, music, and dolls or toys. '"oshi" is the first day of “Mi (Snake)” in the third month of the lunar calendar. This day, known in modern Japan as the Girls' Festival, originated in China as a form of purification ceremony in which water and drinking peach blossom wine were used to drive away evil. Many kinds of hishi-mochi appear in this picture of hina ningyo (dolls associated with Hinamatsuri, or the Girl’s Day) from Omochae. The custom of eating special dishes at events throughout the year and at milestones in people's lives has existed since ancient times. This paragraph specifically focuses on the annual event called sekku, and life events that involve eating sweets. Joshi is the first day of “Mi (Snake)” in the third month of the lunar calendar. This day, known in modern Japan as the Girls' Festival, originated in China as a form of purification ceremony in which water and drinking peach blossom wine were used to drive away evil. According to the Keiso saijiki, in ancient China, on the third day of the third lunar month, people ate “ryuzetsuhan,” which is the juice of gogyo (Jersey cudweed) mixed with rice flour and nectar. In Japan, there is a record in the Heian period history book Nihon Montoku tenno jitsuroku [839-5] that it was an annual event to make kusamochi using gogyo on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar, which may have been influenced by Chinese customs. The tradition of eating kusamochi on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar continued after that. By the Edo period, however, hishimochi had come to be used as a sweet to serve on the third day of the third month. A picture of a hishimochi is included in the Morisada manko , which we mentioned in Part 1. According to it, hishimochi in the Edo period were often three layers of green-white-green instead of the now common red-white-green. However, it is possible to see from our collection that not all hishimochi were made in this way. Omochae published in 1857, is a good example. Omochae is a type of ukiyoe print...
Category

1820s Edo Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Oriental Scene - Woodcut Print by Utagawa Toyokuni - 1820s
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Oriental scene is an original modern artwork realized by Toyoukuni I in 1820-30. Woodcut Print Oban Format Scene on the veranda of a restaurant overlooking a bay with ships. Seki S...
Category

19th Century Modern Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Kabukie - Woodcut Print by Utagawa Toyokuni - 1810s
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Kabukie is a modern artwork realized by Utagawa Toyokuni I in 1811-14. Woodcut Print Oban Format Nakamura Utaemon III performs the dynamic Sanbaso dance. ...
Category

19th Century Modern Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Ichikawa Danjuro in the Role of Chobei - Woodcut by Utagawa Toyokuni - 1810s
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Ichikawa Danjuro in the role of Chobei is an original modern artwork realized by Utagawa Toyokuni (Edo, 1769 – Edo, 1825). Original Woodcut Print. Oban from a Triptych, around 1810. The actor Ichikawa Danjuro sitting on a bench and fretting, behind him a green curtain with peony motif. Signed: Toyokuni ga. Publisher: Yamamotoya Heikichi. Excellent impression, cut, centrefold, a little bit rubbed and soiled. Utagawa Toyokuni (Edo, 1769 – Edo, 1825), also often referred to as Toyokuni I...
Category

1810s Modern Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Actor Iwai Hanshiro as a Samurai by Utagawa Toyokuni I - Early 19th Century
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Actor Iwai Hanshiro as a Samurai is an artwork realized by Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), in the early 19th Century Color woodcut, signed or inscribed in the top right and bottom lef...
Category

Early 19th Century Modern Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Inari Kozo Tasaburo- Kabuki
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Inari Kozo Tasaburo- Kabuki Color woodcut, c. 1820 Signed: ‘Toyokuni’ Publisher: ‘Yamamoto Heikichi’ Censor: Hama and Magome Very good impression and color Sheet/Image size: 15 1/2 x...
Category

1820s Other Art Style Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Man with the Dragon - Woodblock Print by Utagawa Toyokuni I - 1800 ca
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Man with the Dragon is a superb color woodbloock print on rice-paper, realized by the great master of ukiyo-e print, Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) Depicti...
Category

Early 1800s Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Paper, Woodcut

Nakamura Daikichi - Woodcut Print by Utagawa Toyokuni - 1820s
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Nakamura Daikichi and Seki Sanjuro is an original modern artwork realized by Utagawa Toyokuni I in 1820-30. Woodcut Print Oban Dyptich Format Nakamura Da...
Category

19th Century Modern Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Set of Eight Period Japanese Colored Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
Important series of eight colorful Japanese woodblock prints featuring iconic scenes of Japanese life. They are the work of great artists including: Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908) Uta...
Category

Late 19th Century Old Masters Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

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Rome: 1795. Each an engraving with extensive hand coloring on laid paper, some with a partial heraldic watermark, each 6 5/8 x 4 3/4 inches (165 x 120 mm); (sheet) 10 1/4 x 7 1/8 in...
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Seishi Ai-oi Genji – Set of 12 Shunga works together w/astrological commentary
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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...
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'The Rabbit' original woodcut engraving by Clarice George Logan
By Clarice George Logan
Located in Milwaukee, WI
In 'The Rabbit,' Wisconsin artist Clarice George Logan presents the viewer with a multi-figural scene: under a wood-frame structure, four children crouch on the ground, gathered around a young woman who presents a rabbit. Under normal circumstances, such an image of children with a bunny would recall childhood storybooks. In this case, however, the image is more ambiguous and suggests the unfortunate economic circumstances many children suffered during the interwar years. Nonetheless, the group could also be interpreted as a nativity play, with the rabbit taking the place of the Christ child, shining light on the children like in a painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Correggio. The careful line-work of the woodblock engraving adds a sense of expressionism to the scene, leaving the figures looking distraught and dirty, though the image nonetheless falls into the Social Realist category that dominated American artists during the Great Depression. This print was published in 1936 as part of the Wisconsin Artists' Calendar for the year 1937, which included 52 original, hand-made prints - one for each week of the year. Clarice George Logan was born in Mayville, New York in 1909 but moved to Wisconsin in 1921. She attended the Milwaukee State Teachers College from 1927 to 1931 where she studied with Robert von...
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Tolosa (Toulouse); Leaf LXXI from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle
Located in Middletown, NY
Woodcut on laid paper, 8 3/8 x 9 1/8 inches (212 x 233 mm), the full sheet. In excellent condition with text and portraits of Empedocles, Sapho, Zeuxis and others on the verso, as is...
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15th Century and Earlier Old Masters Utagawa Toyokuni Art

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Japanese Beauties Enjoy a Full Moon
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Burbank, CA
"Sun, Moon and Stars". Three beauties enjoy a full moon on the veranda of a teahouse or restuarant. The woman on the left kneels and adjusts her lavishly printed kimono. The beauty in the center has her hair down, and behind her is a screen against which shadows are beautifully silhouetted, which adds an air of mystery. The seated woman on the right is perhaps a geisha, as we see a shamisen lying next to her. Before her is a tray with an assortment of foods. One may surmise that the beauties are being compared to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On the left we glimpse a full moon shining over the peaceful bay, and boats at harbor. Original first edition Japanese color woodblock print triptych...
Category

1840s Edo Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Mulberry Paper, Woodcut

View of Fountain Court, Middle Temple, City of London
Located in Middletown, NY
An 18th century view of the first permanent water fountain in London. London: J.Boydell, 1753. Engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on white laid paper, laid down to a modern...
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Mid-18th Century English School Utagawa Toyokuni Art

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"Fanti Fishing Boat" Modern Abstract Figurative Woodcut Print 47 of 86
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Located in Houston, TX
Abstract figurative woodblock print of a beach landscape with a boat. The print is stamped by the artist and titled and editioned in pencil. This print is editioned 47 of 86 and the print is not currently framed. Artist Biography: Born in Gastonia, North Carolina in 1924, John Biggers studied at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) under Viktor Lowenfeld and muralist Charles White. In 1943, Biggers' mural, Dying Soldier, was included in the exhibition curated by Lowenfeld, Young Negro Art, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. After serving in the United States Navy, Biggers transferred to Pennsylvania State University where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as his doctorate in art education. In 1949, Biggers accepted a faculty position at Texas State University for Negroes (now Texas Southern University) in Houston, where he founded and chaired the art department until his retirement. In the early 50s, he won prizes for his work at annual exhibitions held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Dallas Museum of Art. In 1957, he traveled to Africa on a UNESCO fellowship to study Western African cultural traditions, becoming one of the first black artists to study the culture first-hand rather than through library research. His work was profoundly influenced by his experiences in Africa. He was known for his murals, but also for his drawings, paintings, and lithographs, and was honored by a major traveling retrospective exhibition from 1995 to 1997. He created archetypal imagery that spoke positively to the rich and varied ethnic heritage of African Americans, long before the Civil Rights era drew...
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Materials

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Two Kabuki Actors Japanese Woodblock Print
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The South West Prospect of London – English School 18th century
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'Jones Island' original woodcut engraving by Gerrit Sinclair
By Gerrit Sinclair
Located in Milwaukee, WI
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Materials

Woodcut, Engraving

"Dawn Inside the Yoshiwara" Utagawa Hiroshige, Japanese Landscape, Ukiyo-e
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Located in New York, NY
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1850s Edo Utagawa Toyokuni Art

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Previously Available Items
Geisha - Original Woodcut Print by Toyokuni I - 19th Century
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Roma, IT
This Ukiyo-e Print is a colored woodblock print on paper, realized by the Japanese old master, Utagawa Toyokuni, best-known as Toyokuni I (1769-1825), activ...
Category

19th Century Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut, Paper

Ichikawa Danjuro VII
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Austin, TX
Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I Title: Ichikawa Danjuro VII Medium: Color woodblock print Origin: Japan Date: 1786 Dimensions: 8.5 inches height x 7.5 in width T...
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Late 18th Century Edo Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Three Beauties by a River Japanese Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Houston, TX
Japanese woodblock print of three beauties by a river. The work has some age to it. it is stamped by the artist. The woodblock print is printed on rice paper. The print is not framed. Artist Biography: The son of a puppet sculptor, Toyokuni was born and worked in Edo. Entering the studio of Toyoharu at the age of 14, Toyokuni drew inspiration from the famous contemporary artists around him, particularly from the great Utamaro. Toyokuni produced elegant courtesans, fine actor prints...
Category

Late 18th Century Edo Utagawa Toyokuni Art

Materials

Woodcut

Utagawa Toyokuni art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Utagawa Toyokuni art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Utagawa Toyokuni in woodcut print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 19th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Utagawa Toyokuni art, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Lucien Métivet, Robert De Launay, and Frank Kleinholz. Utagawa Toyokuni art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $627 and tops out at $719, while the average work can sell for $627.

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