Kabuki · Ichikawa Danjūrō · Yanone (Kabuki Jūhachiban) · Ogata Gekkō · Gekkō Zuihitsu · Meiji 1896 - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
03
days
22
hours
36
minutes
54
seconds
Current bid
€ 10
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €10 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143139 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Meiji period original Japanese woodblock print by Ogata Gekkō from the Gekkō Zuihitsu series, Shibai (Theatre): Yanone, depicting Ichikawa Danjūrō in aragoto style, Ōban tate-e approx. 24 × 36 cm, published by Takekawa Risaburō; in excellent condition with minor soiling and album backing.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Artist: Ogata Gekkō 尾形月耕 (1859–1920)
Title: Shibai 芝居 (Kabuki Theatre)
Series: Gekkō Zuihitsu 月耕随筆 (Gekkō's Miscellany)
Technique: Original Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Date: Meiji 27 (1894)
Publisher: Takekawa Risaburō 武川利三郎, Tokyo
Format: Ōban tate-e; approx. 24*36 cm
Signature: Gekkō, with red artist's seal
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Excellent Colors and impression. The paper has minor soiling and an album backing. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Gekkō Zuihitsu is one of Ogata Gekkō's best-known series. The title comes from zuihitsu, the Japanese literary genre of loosely connected essays that follow the writer's interest, and the series works the same way: each sheet takes a different subject from history, legend, literature, the stage or daily life. The Tokyo National Museum holds a complete set of 48 sheets. Gekkō was largely self-taught and drew on painting traditions outside ukiyo-e, which gives his work a free, painterly line that sets it apart from the Utagawa-school prints of the same years.
This sheet, titled Shibai (Theatre), takes kabuki as its subject. Dealer records describe it as theatregoers watching Ichikawa Danjūrō perform Yanone (The Arrowhead). Yanone belongs to the Kabuki Jūhachiban, the eighteen signature plays of the Ichikawa Danjūrō acting line, and is a showpiece of aragoto, the bold, exaggerated acting style the family made famous. The hero is Soga Gorō, one of the two Soga brothers whose revenge story was a favourite kabuki subject. In 1896 the head of the line was Danjūrō IX, the leading actor of the Meiji stage. Impressions of this design are in the Richard Lieben collection at the MAK in Vienna and in the Waseda University Theatre Museum.
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.
Artist: Ogata Gekkō 尾形月耕 (1859–1920)
Title: Shibai 芝居 (Kabuki Theatre)
Series: Gekkō Zuihitsu 月耕随筆 (Gekkō's Miscellany)
Technique: Original Japanese woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Date: Meiji 27 (1894)
Publisher: Takekawa Risaburō 武川利三郎, Tokyo
Format: Ōban tate-e; approx. 24*36 cm
Signature: Gekkō, with red artist's seal
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Excellent Colors and impression. The paper has minor soiling and an album backing. Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Gekkō Zuihitsu is one of Ogata Gekkō's best-known series. The title comes from zuihitsu, the Japanese literary genre of loosely connected essays that follow the writer's interest, and the series works the same way: each sheet takes a different subject from history, legend, literature, the stage or daily life. The Tokyo National Museum holds a complete set of 48 sheets. Gekkō was largely self-taught and drew on painting traditions outside ukiyo-e, which gives his work a free, painterly line that sets it apart from the Utagawa-school prints of the same years.
This sheet, titled Shibai (Theatre), takes kabuki as its subject. Dealer records describe it as theatregoers watching Ichikawa Danjūrō perform Yanone (The Arrowhead). Yanone belongs to the Kabuki Jūhachiban, the eighteen signature plays of the Ichikawa Danjūrō acting line, and is a showpiece of aragoto, the bold, exaggerated acting style the family made famous. The hero is Soga Gorō, one of the two Soga brothers whose revenge story was a favourite kabuki subject. In 1896 the head of the line was Danjūrō IX, the leading actor of the Meiji stage. Impressions of this design are in the Richard Lieben collection at the MAK in Vienna and in the Waseda University Theatre Museum.
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
Meiji period (1868-1912)
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
Kabuki · Ichikawa Danjūrō · Yanone (Kabuki Jūhachiban) · Ogata Gekkō · Gekkō Zuihitsu · Meiji 1896
Condition
Excellent condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
