Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786-1864). Kabuki actors from the Ichimura theatre. Woodblock print triptych, 1854, 3rd month (Edo period). Signed by artist with censor's seals and block cutter's marks on each sheet. A wonderful triptych of woodblock prints depicting kabuki actors at the Ichimura theatre performing scenes from the play "Ume Yanagi Sakigake-zoshi." The print at the left portrays Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as the Wandering Ascetic (Kaikoku shugyoja) Tenzan. The central print shows Nakamura Tomijuro II as the Wandering Ascetic Myoten. Last, the print at the right presents Nakamura Fukusuke I as Shin no Kurando Tokisada and Ichikawa Komazo VII as Kanja Tamehira. Size of woodblock print (all the same): 9.25" W x 13.75" H (23.5 cm x 34.9 cm); of frame: 37" W x 19.75" H (94 cm x 50.2 cm)

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.

About the artist: Toyokuni III, also known as Kunisada, was 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 ukiyo-e woodblock prints embody the characteristics of the Utagawa school, focusing on traditional subjects such as kabuki, bijin (beautiful women), shunga (erotic prints), and historical prints. Kunisada's first known woodblock print dates to 1807, his first illustrated book to 1808. His 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. Kunisada was a highly popular, and the most active, Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the 19th century. In his time, his reputation surpassed those of his contemporaries Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi." (source: Ronin Gallery website)

Another impression of this triptych can be found in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston under the accession numbers 11.44148a-c and 11.29235-7.

Provenance: private Louisville, Colorado, USA collection

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#186504

Signed by artist with censor's seals and block cutter's marks on each sheet. All set behind glass in custom matte and frame; have not been examined outside of glass. Right most print has miniscule area of loss to upper left corner, and central and right-most print each have a small perforation near bottom. All have minor areas of repair to edges; none of which greatly affects imagery. Great pigments and detail. Suspension wire on verso for display.