Very good condition overall with vivid colors and sharp lines. The paper has uniform age-related darkening. There is minimal creasing, noticeable only upon very close inspection and easily minimized when framed. No insect damage is present.
This 1888 (Meiji 21) ukiyo-e woodblock print by Umedo Kunimasa (5th Utagawa Kunimasa) depicts a scene from the famous Kabuki play Kagami-yama Zori-uchiba (鏡山草履打場).
The composition captures the dramatic intensity and emotional expression characteristic of Meiji-period Kabuki imagery. Kunimasa, working within the Utagawa tradition, combines bold color contrasts with theatrical staging and detailed costume design to emphasize the tension of the scene.
Printed using traditional woodblock techniques, the work reflects the continued popularity of Kabuki theater during the Meiji era, when actor prints and dramatic scenes remained highly sought after by the public.
A well-preserved and visually strong example of Meiji-period Kabuki ukiyo-e, suitable for collectors of Japanese theater art and woodblock prints.
