Fair to good antique condition overall. The colors remain vivid despite some age-related fading, and the printed lines are sharp and well-preserved. There is creasing from having been folded for more than a century, along with insect damage that has resulted in the loss of a small section in the lower left area of the print. Despite these condition issues, the image remains visually striking and displays exceptionally well. The print is presented in a new A3 frame for preservation and display.
This original Edo-period ukiyo-e woodblock print was created in 1833 by Utagawa Kuniyoshi and is titled Tenpō Yon-nen Kugatsu Nagori Kyōgen (天保四年九月名残狂言), referring to a Kabuki performance staged in the ninth month of Tenpō 4 (1833).
The print belongs to the yakusha-e tradition of actor portraiture and depicts a dramatic scene from a Kabuki play. The powerful composition and expressive figures suggest a connection to the popular Suikoden tradition, a subject that fascinated audiences of the period and became one of Kuniyoshi's most celebrated specialties.
Kuniyoshi was among the most influential ukiyo-e artists of the nineteenth century, renowned for his energetic warrior prints, theatrical scenes, and innovative compositions. His works helped define the visual language of late Edo-period popular culture and remain highly sought after by collectors today.
The dynamic pose, dramatic expression, and bold design exemplify the qualities that made Kuniyoshi one of the great masters of Japanese woodblock printing.
A historically significant original Edo-period actor print, suitable for collectors of Kabuki art, ukiyo-e, and nineteenth-century Japanese theater history.
