{"product_id":"1877-kabuki-actor-print-ichikawa-danjuro-ix-as-a-toyotomi-hideyoshi-by-toyohara-kunichika-approximately-25x37cm","title":"1877 Kabuki Actor Print – Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as a Toyotomi Hideyoshi by Toyohara Kunichika (Approximately 25X37CM)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"109\" data-end=\"353\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eGood antique condition overall. The colors remain vivid and the printed lines are sharp, preserving the dramatic impact of the composition. The print displays well and is an excellent example of early Meiji actor portraiture.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"543\"\u003eThis original Meiji-period \u003cem data-start=\"382\" data-end=\"393\"\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e (Kabuki actor print) was designed circa 1877–1880 by \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eToyohara Kunichika\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the last great master of traditional Kabuki actor prints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"915\"\u003eThe print depicts the legendary actor \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eIchikawa Danjūrō IX\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e portraying a character associated with \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eToyotomi Hideyoshi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e in a Kabuki production. Although the title has been partially lost due to trimming, the surviving inscription clearly begins with \u003cem data-start=\"828\" data-end=\"842\"\u003eHideyoshi-kō\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Lord Hideyoshi\"), identifying the historical theme of the performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1327\"\u003eOne of the most recognizable details is the actor's costume, decorated with gourd vines (\u003cem data-start=\"1006\" data-end=\"1014\"\u003ehyōtan\u003c\/em\u003e). The gourd was the personal emblem of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, whose famous \u003cem data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1103\"\u003eSennari Hyōtan\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Thousand Gourds\") crest became an enduring symbol of his military success and authority. Contemporary audiences would have immediately recognized the motif and its connection to one of Japan's greatest historical figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1643\"\u003eIchikawa Danjūrō IX was the foremost Kabuki actor of the Meiji era and appeared in many of Kunichika's finest works. Together, artist and actor helped preserve the traditions of classical Kabuki during a period of rapid modernization, making their collaborations among the most celebrated examples of late ukiyo-e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1899\"\u003eThe vivid synthetic reds and purples are characteristic of Meiji-period aniline dyes, introduced after the 1870s. These brilliant imported pigments gave Meiji actor prints a dramatic visual intensity that distinguished them from earlier Edo-period works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"2180\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eA striking example of Meiji Kabuki ukiyo-e, combining one of Japan's greatest actors, one of its most important artists, and imagery associated with the legendary Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Suitable for collectors of actor prints, Japanese history, and nineteenth-century woodblock art.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48765604266243,"sku":null,"price":6500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/IMG_5934.jpg?v=1782625065","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/1877-kabuki-actor-print-ichikawa-danjuro-ix-as-a-toyotomi-hideyoshi-by-toyohara-kunichika-approximately-25x37cm","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}