Kureha 呉服 from the series ‘Nôgaku zue’ (the Picture of Noh Plays) Print is mounted on paper Painter: Tsukioka Kôgyo (1869-1927) Year: 1902 Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya) Condition: Good condition 37x25 cm Tsukioka Kôgyo and ‘Nôgaku zue’ Kôgyo was an artist of ukiyo-e and japanese painting in the period of Meiji. He inherited the surname of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) from his father who remarried his mother, was also his master of ukiyo-e. He also studied under Gekkô Ogata and Fûko Matsumoto. He is known for many works related to Nô besed on theatrical scenery from Nô plays. Many of his works are elegant and luxurious in style using gold and silver paint on high-quality japanese paper. He also excelled in hand-painted portraits and bird-and-flower paintings. One of his trilogy ‘Nôgaku zue’, is the first significant series of Nô theater prints which express the profound beauty of Nô. The set consists of over 260 prints.