Good antique condition overall. There is some slight staining within the red background, but it is relatively minor. There are no holes or tears. The printed lines remain sharp, and the colors are vivid aside from the light staining, making this an attractive example of Meiji-period actor portraiture.
This original Meiji-period yakusha-e (Kabuki actor print) was created in 1877 (Meiji 10) by Toyohara Kunichika, signed Kōchōrō Hōsai ga (香朝楼豊斎画).
The print portrays the legendary Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugorō V in the title role of Kurotegumi Sukeroku, a Meiji-era reinterpretation of the famous Edo-period hero Sukeroku. While preserving the spirit of the original character, the play adapted the beloved story for contemporary audiences during Japan's rapidly changing Meiji era.
Kunichika was the foremost designer of Kabuki actor prints in the late nineteenth century and is widely regarded as the last great master of the yakusha-e tradition. His works documented the final golden age of classical Kabuki before photography gradually replaced woodblock prints as the primary means of preserving the likenesses of famous performers.
One of the print's most striking features is its brilliant aniline red background. Following the introduction of imported synthetic dyes during the 1870s, Meiji artists embraced these vivid pigments, creating dramatic compositions that were impossible using earlier natural colorants. The bold red backdrop became one of the defining visual characteristics of Meiji-period ukiyo-e.
Published in 1877, this print captures one of Japan's greatest actors at the height of his career while showcasing the vibrant colors and expressive style that define Kunichika's mature work.
A fine example of Meiji-era Kabuki ukiyo-e, suitable for collectors of actor prints, Japanese theater, and the works of Toyohara Kunichika.
