Authentic Toyokuni III (Formerly, Kunisada) Woodblock, Circa 1845

Description: Signed, original, circa 1845 woodblock print from the most successful and highly acclaimed ukiyo-e artist/designer of 19 century Japan—Toyokuni III whose actor paintings (Kunisada) were so animated people felt they were staring at a stage. Furthermore, he also possessed the ability to create the beauty of the modern day women of Japan, shown with a hunchback and bull neck. A preferable trait of the people during this period of time. An example of each are on full display in this print. The writing at the bottom is old fashioned Japanese Kanji. Reading each from right (closest to the Koi fish) to left are the translations: (1) Toyakuna ga (Toyokuni picture). (2) Yoshikawa Hori X No (Yoshikawa Carving). (3) Fujikei (The Printing House). DETAILS Artist: Toyokuni III (1786 – 1864) Publisher: Fujikei Printing House Year: 1845 approx. Medium: Woodblock Print Carver: Yoshikawa Size of Print: 10.1” x 14.1” Size of Frame: 16.25 x 20.5” Condition: Print is in excellent condition. Wood frame w/ glass is in fair to good condition Shipping: Please check out my other items, too. Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Utagowa Toyokuni III, was born Sumida Shogoro was born in the Honjo district of Edo (the capital city of Japan, now Tokyo) in 1786. In the year 1800, at the age of 14, he entered the school of Utagowa Toyokuni I. Once his printed works began to appear in late 1807 he was awarded the last character of his master´s name to form his own and chose the name Kunisada. After the death of Toyokuni I, in 1825, Kunisada did not become the head of the Utagawa school and the right to take over his master´s name. Toykuni´s family chose Toyoshige, who had married into the family, as the new leader and he assumed the name Toyokuni II until his death in 1835. In 1845, nine years after the death of Toyoshige (Toyokuni II), and the twentieth anniversary of the death of his master, Toyokuni I, Kunisada vistited his master´s memorial where he was persuaded by the family to adopt his name. Kunisada changed his name in 1845 to Toyokuni with the additions "Kunisada aratme.” Moreover, he also used a variety of signatures, including the one on this print, bottom right, closest to the Koi fish which he also used to sign other printed works during the 1845 time frame. Other variations include what looks like a red circle. This is called a Toshidama and is the seal of the Utagawa School. In 1864, at the age of 80, Toyokuni III passed away in the same neighborhood that he was born. Remembered as a highly popular, and the most prolific ukiyo-e artist of the 19th century. During his time, his reputation surpassed those of all his contemporaries, including Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi.

Price: 200 USD

Location: Redwood City, California

End Time: 2024-12-15T13:23:18.000Z

Shipping Cost: 30 USD