The Fox Mother Kuzunoha | Same Design in the Tokyo National Museum | Early Toyokuni I, 1802 - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 250 - € 350
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Original Edo-period woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I (1802), The Fox Mother Kuzunoha, with the same design as in the Tokyo National Museum, in fair condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
歌川豊国 — UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI I (1769–1825)
The Actor Segawa Rokō III as the Fox Woman Kuzunoha (三代目瀬川路考の葛の葉狐)
Play: Shinodazuma Nagori no Kowakare (信田妻名残狐別), Ichimura-za, Edo
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e) on Japanese washi
Date: 1802 (Kyōwa 2)
Format: Ōban tate-e (approx. 39 × 26 cm / 15.4 × 10.2 in.)
Signature: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Inscriptions: Role cartouche 葛の葉狐 瀬川路考 (Kuzunoha the Fox — Segawa Rokō); text at upper left 名残狂言 古今大当り (nagori kyōgen, "farewell performance, the greatest success of all time")
__________________________________________________________
CONDITION
The sheet is large and complete, around 39 × 26 cm. The colours are well preserved, but there is a noticeable repair in the upper left of the sheet with kozo fibres. There is also some scuffing, toning and soiling. The sheet still presents well overall! Please check the images carefully.
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The Occasion — A Farewell to Edo
Segawa Kikunojō III (1751–1810) was born in Osaka. He came to Edo as a young actor, where he succeeded to the great Segawa name and became the leading onnagata (actor of female roles) of his generation. In the 8th month of 1801 he took the additional name Segawa Rokō III. In 1802 he left Edo to return to Osaka for the first time in 29 years. To mark his departure, the Ichimura-za in Edo staged a farewell performance (nagori kyōgen), Shinodazuma Nagori no Kowakare — "The Wife from Shinoda: A Farewell Parting from Her Child". In it Rokō played the white fox Kuzunoha, who leaves her son and returns to the forest of Shinoda. The play's title made the actor's own farewell part of the role. This print records that performance; the inscription on the sheet calls it a farewell play and the greatest success of all time.
The Tokyo National Museum holds an impression of this design, catalogued as Sandaime Segawa Rokō no Kuzunoha-gitsune and dated 1802. Its recorded size (38.9 × 26.1 cm) matches this sheet.
_______________________________________________________
The Legend — Kuzunoha, the Fox of Shinoda Forest
Kuzunoha is one of the best-known fox legends in Japan. In the story the nobleman Abe no Yasuna saves a white fox from hunters in the Shinoda Forest in Izumi Province. The fox later returns to him in the form of a beautiful woman named Kuzunoha. They marry and have a son. When her true nature is discovered, Kuzunoha has to leave her husband and child and return to the forest. Before she goes she writes a parting poem telling her husband to come and look for her in the forest of Shinoda if he misses her. Their son grew up to become Abe no Seimei, the most famous onmyōji (court diviner and master of the occult) in Japanese history; his supernatural powers were explained by his fox mother. The story reached the stage through the puppet play Ashiya Dōman Ōuchi Kagami (1734) and became a classic of the kabuki repertoire. The parting scene was a showpiece for the leading onnagata.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
歌川豊国 — UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI I (1769–1825)
The Actor Segawa Rokō III as the Fox Woman Kuzunoha (三代目瀬川路考の葛の葉狐)
Play: Shinodazuma Nagori no Kowakare (信田妻名残狐別), Ichimura-za, Edo
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e) on Japanese washi
Date: 1802 (Kyōwa 2)
Format: Ōban tate-e (approx. 39 × 26 cm / 15.4 × 10.2 in.)
Signature: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Inscriptions: Role cartouche 葛の葉狐 瀬川路考 (Kuzunoha the Fox — Segawa Rokō); text at upper left 名残狂言 古今大当り (nagori kyōgen, "farewell performance, the greatest success of all time")
__________________________________________________________
CONDITION
The sheet is large and complete, around 39 × 26 cm. The colours are well preserved, but there is a noticeable repair in the upper left of the sheet with kozo fibres. There is also some scuffing, toning and soiling. The sheet still presents well overall! Please check the images carefully.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Occasion — A Farewell to Edo
Segawa Kikunojō III (1751–1810) was born in Osaka. He came to Edo as a young actor, where he succeeded to the great Segawa name and became the leading onnagata (actor of female roles) of his generation. In the 8th month of 1801 he took the additional name Segawa Rokō III. In 1802 he left Edo to return to Osaka for the first time in 29 years. To mark his departure, the Ichimura-za in Edo staged a farewell performance (nagori kyōgen), Shinodazuma Nagori no Kowakare — "The Wife from Shinoda: A Farewell Parting from Her Child". In it Rokō played the white fox Kuzunoha, who leaves her son and returns to the forest of Shinoda. The play's title made the actor's own farewell part of the role. This print records that performance; the inscription on the sheet calls it a farewell play and the greatest success of all time.
The Tokyo National Museum holds an impression of this design, catalogued as Sandaime Segawa Rokō no Kuzunoha-gitsune and dated 1802. Its recorded size (38.9 × 26.1 cm) matches this sheet.
_______________________________________________________
The Legend — Kuzunoha, the Fox of Shinoda Forest
Kuzunoha is one of the best-known fox legends in Japan. In the story the nobleman Abe no Yasuna saves a white fox from hunters in the Shinoda Forest in Izumi Province. The fox later returns to him in the form of a beautiful woman named Kuzunoha. They marry and have a son. When her true nature is discovered, Kuzunoha has to leave her husband and child and return to the forest. Before she goes she writes a parting poem telling her husband to come and look for her in the forest of Shinoda if he misses her. Their son grew up to become Abe no Seimei, the most famous onmyōji (court diviner and master of the occult) in Japanese history; his supernatural powers were explained by his fox mother. The story reached the stage through the puppet play Ashiya Dōman Ōuchi Kagami (1734) and became a classic of the kabuki repertoire. The parting scene was a showpiece for the leading onnagata.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
The Fox Mother Kuzunoha | Same Design in the Tokyo National Museum | Early Toyokuni I, 1802
Condition
Fair condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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