A heptaptych (seven-panel print ) made up of seven Japanese wood block prints by famed artist Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900).
The complete set is Titled "Seven Poems for Good Fortune at Sunrise on New Year's Day in the Modern World".

Subject: A heptaptych (seven-panel print) showing famous actors celebrating New Year's by attaching poems to snow-dusted plum branches.
Context: A celebration of modern actors (including Shikan IV, Otani Tomoemon V, Kawarasaki Gonjuro I, etc.) in contemporary festive attire.

Year of production: First year of Keio (1865)
SIGNED: Kunichika hitsu GuoZhouBi
MARKS: Censor's seal: Ox 12 aratame
No blockcutter's mark
GaiYin:ChouShiErGai
DiaoShi:nashi

DIMENSIONS: 14 * 9 1/2 in.

Actors are tying poems signed with their poetry names to snow-covered branches of red plum.

REFERENCE: The MFA Boston has five of the seven sheets of this series in their collection.
The seven sheets fit together as a heptaptych, probably in the following order, from right to left:

Sheet 1: Waseda db 007-0778, Ichimura Kakitsu IV
Sheet 2: 11.40609, Otani Tomoemon V
Sheet 3: Waseda db 007-0761, Kawarazaki Gonjuro I
Sheet 4: 11.40610, Nakamura Shikan IV
Sheet 5: 11.40611, Bando Hikosaburo V
Sheet 6: 11.40536, Sawamura Tanosuke III
Sheet 7: 11.40612, Ichikawa Kuzo III


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Frayed edges
Creases
Refer photos for details

Origin:
Japan

Materials & Techniques:
Paper, Woodcut

PLACEHOLDER SHIPPING NOTES: Winning bidders will be contacted regarding shipping after the auction closes.

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Frayed edges
Creases
Refer photos for details