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Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1864, also Toyokuni III). "Mishima: (Actor Segawa Kikunoho V as) Osen" AND "Kisegawa, between Mishima and Numazu: (Actor Segawa Kikunojo V as) the Courtesan (Keisei) Kisegawa" - both from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road, ca. 1852. A wonderful pair of framed ukiyo-e woodblocks by Utagawa Kunisada, each one depicting the Kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo as a character - Osen and the Courtesan Kisegawa, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road. Size (Kisegawa): 13.875" L x 9.75" W (35.2 cm x 24.8 cm) Size (framed): 20.875" L x 16.875" W (53 cm x 42.9 cm) Size (Mishima): 13.625" L x 9.625" W (34.6 cm x 24.4 cm) Size (framed): 20.875" L x 16.875" W (53 cm x 42.9 cm)

Kabuki is a genre of Japanese musical theatre that has traditionally featured actors wearing elaborate costumes and make-up, engaged in dramatic acting, singing, and dancing. All roles - both male and female - have traditionally been played by male actors.

Woodblock prints were created in Japan as early as the 8th century to illustrate texts. By the 18th century Japanese woodblock techniques had evolved, and the first polychrome prints or nishiki-e were commissioned for wealthy patrons of the Edo period. This period was known for marvelous woodblock prints of female beauties, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, and courtesans of the infamous pleasure districts. In time the repertoire expanded to include romantic landscapes, flora and fauna, and dramatic historical events. Woodblocks like Utagawa Kunisada's played a major role in the West's perception of Japanese visual culture during the late 19th century when Japonism exerted a powerful influence on French Impressionists such as Degas, Manet, and Monet, Post-Impressionists including Van Gogh, even pioneering Art Nouveau artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec.

See Utagawa Kunisada's "Mishima: (Actor Segawa Kikunoho V as) Osen" as well as "Kisegawa, between Mishima and Numazu: (Actor Segawa Kikunojo V as) the Courtesan (Keisei) Kisegawa" at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (accession numbers 11.29482 and 11.43315 respectively) and other esteemed museums.

Provenance: ex-Nancy and Dr. E.F. Simpson collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from 1970 to 2000

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#172223

Woodblocks have not been examined outside the frames but appear to be in good condition save some normal fading commensurate with age. Both are signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche and have censor's seals and blockcutter's marks. Frames show some age wear but are intact.