Excellent condition overall. There are no stains, significant creases, water damage, insect damage, or holes. The colors remain exceptionally vivid and the lines are sharp, resulting in a striking example of late Meiji-period actor portraiture.
This original Japanese woodblock print was designed in 1883 (Meiji 16) by Toyohara Kunichika, one of the last great masters of the yakusha-e tradition. Kunichika is celebrated for his dramatic actor portraits and his innovative use of the brilliant synthetic pigments that became available during the Meiji period.
The print depicts the renowned Kabuki actor Ichikawa Sadanji I in the role of Akushichi Byōei Kagekiyo, the legendary Taira warrior whose story became a popular subject in Japanese theater and literature. Kagekiyo is often portrayed as a tragic and heroic figure, embodying loyalty, resilience, and the lingering spirit of the defeated Taira clan.
In this composition, the actor clutches a broken biwa (Japanese lute), a powerful visual symbol of loss and remembrance. Behind him, vivid plum blossoms provide a dramatic contrast to the emotional intensity of the figure. The combination of expressive facial features, theatrical costume, and symbolic imagery exemplifies Kunichika's ability to capture the emotional depth of a performance within a single image.
The print was officially approved on September 22, 1883, and published by Yamamura Kanzaburō, a prominent Tokyo publisher active in the Nihonbashi district. The skilled carver Utaomote Yoshi is also credited, reflecting the collaborative craftsmanship behind Meiji-period woodblock production.
Kunichika's actor prints remain among the most admired works of late ukiyo-e, preserving the personalities and performances of Japan's greatest Kabuki stars during a period of rapid cultural change.
A superb example of Meiji-era yakusha-e, combining exceptional condition, vibrant color, and one of the most important names in Japanese theatrical printmaking. Suitable for collectors of Kabuki art, actor portraits, and late nineteenth-century ukiyo-e.
