{"product_id":"1883-ukiyo-e-kabuki-actor-portrait-ichikawa-sadanji-i-as-akushichi-byoei-kagekiyo-by-toyohara-kunichika","title":"1883 Ukiyo-e Kabuki Actor Portrait – Ichikawa Sadanji I as Akushichi Byōei Kagekiyo by Toyohara Kunichika","description":"\u003cp\u003eExcellent 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis original Japanese woodblock print was designed in 1883 (Meiji 16) 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, one of the last great masters of the \u003cem\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print depicts the renowned Kabuki actor \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eIchikawa Sadanji I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this composition, the actor clutches a broken \u003cem\u003ebiwa\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKunichika'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA superb example of Meiji-era \u003cem\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48436909179139,"sku":null,"price":6000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/IMG_5752.jpg?v=1781865531","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/1883-ukiyo-e-kabuki-actor-portrait-ichikawa-sadanji-i-as-akushichi-byoei-kagekiyo-by-toyohara-kunichika","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}