Four Japanese Migita Toshihide 1863-1925 Wood Block Print Portraits of Sansho

View Similar Items

Nine Japanese Woodblock Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Block Print in Unique Samuel Peck Co. Negative Printing Contact Frame

Japanese Framed Wood Block Print by Takahashi Shozan III, 1920s

Framed Wood Block Print Kabuki Character by Japanese Artist Takahashi Shozan

Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Framed Woodblock Prints C.1925

Collection of Abstract Japanese Calligraphy Prints

Antique Japanese Framed Woodblock Print Depicting a Woman in the Woods

Pair of Large Meiji Era Japanese Woodblock Prints

Set of Eight Japanese Meiji Era Woodblock Prints

Original Japanese Woodblock Print of a Warrior by Gyokusei Tsukioka 月岡玉瀞

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Four Japanese Migita Toshihide 1863-1925 Wood Block Print Portraits of Sansho

About the Item

We are delighted to offer for sale this suite of four original 19th century Master Migita Toshihide (1863-1925) Portraits of Sansho (Ichikawa Danjuro IX) Japanese signed wood block prints A truly stunning suite, all four are original and are very decorative, judging my the colour red text by the side they look to be 1896 (26th year of Meiji) but I can't be 100% sure. They have been nicely framed with museum glass to stop any fading or colour transfer. They are all hand painted and signed as you can see The condition is sublime, there will be some normal age and patina as you would expect but they are very fine examples indeed Dimensions x3 Height:- 47.5cm Width:- 35.5cm Depth:- 1.5cm Dimensions x1 Height:- 46.5cm Width:- 34.5cm Depth:- 1.5cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point Ichikawa Danjuro IX (Sansho) dominated the kabuki scene at the end of the nineteenth century. The bulk of kabuki portraits of any quality tend to be of Danjuro in his notable roles - a deliberate policy of the the actor and the theatres to keep the now flagging kabuki scene alive. The most famous of these homages is the great series 100 Roles of Ichikawa Danjuro by Kunichika from the late 1890’s. These portraits by Toshihide from 1893 and the preceding print by Tadakiyo from 1896 predict that series in style and composition. These are terrific prints, some of the best works of Meiji Japan, and although this series and the others in this show by Ginko and Kiyotada are rare, they deserve much greater recognition. Drawn in a traditional style, these dramatic prints owe more to Kunisada, Yoshitoshi (who was his teacher) and to Kunichika than the western influence that he was to work under for most of his career. There is an observable similarity between this piece and Yoshitoshi’s theatre portraits of the 1860’s and 1880’s. Toshihide shows the actor as the Japanese hero Benkei, wearing his monk’s cap and carrying a stave of wood. Benkei was born in 1155 and reputedly of enormous strength and vitality; he was raised by monks who were both religious and military. As a young man he positioned himself at one end of Gojo Bridge and disarmed travellers of their swords. On reaching his 999th sword he fought with a young nobleman, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who won the battle of the bridge and thereafter Benkei served as his principal retainer. They fought in the Gempei Wars between the Taira clan and their own Minamoto clan. This item is available for collection from our Pulborough warehouses Condition Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description pertaining to the condition. Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of creasing and wear, we recommend annual waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.

Dimensions:
Height: 18.71 in (47.5 cm)Width: 13.98 in (35.5 cm)Depth: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Style:
Japonisme (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Paper,Wood,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
19th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
Seller Location:
GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2823329389392