Kunisada Triptych · Ichikawa Ebizō V (Danjūrō VII) as Kezori Kuemon · Tenpō-era Kabuki · 1840 - 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.
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Original Edo-period three-sheet Nishiki-e oban triptych by Utagawa Kunisada I (Gototei Kunisada ga), published by Tsuruya Kiemon in Tenpō 11 (1840), depicting Ichikawa Ebizō V as Kezori Kuemon in the Okudaya scene from Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi, with approx. 37 × 25 cm per sheet and strong impression in good condition.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada I (歌川国貞, 1786–1864), later Toyokuni III, signed Gototei Kunisada ga (五渡亭国貞画) on each sheet
Title: 恋湊博多諷 — Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi ("Love at the Port: A Song of Hakata")
Subject: Actors in the Okudaya scene of the play:
Right sheet: Ichikawa Danzō (市川團蔵) as Komachiya Sōshichi (小町や宗七)
Centre sheet: Iwai Tojaku I (岩井杜若) as Hakata Kojorō (はかた小女郎)
Left sheet: Ichikawa Ebizō V (市川海老蔵), formerly Danjūrō VII, as Kezori Kuemon (毛剃九右衛門)
Format: Ōban triptych, three sheets, each ca. [37 × 25 cm]
Technique: Nishiki-e (full-colour woodblock print)
Date: Tenpō 11 (1840), 8th month
Publisher: Tsuruya Kiemon (鶴屋喜右衛門), Tōriabura-chō (seal: 通油町鶴喜板)
Signature / seals: Signed Gototei Kunisada ga on each sheet. Kiwame (極) censor seal and publisher's seal on each sheet
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Condition: Strong impression with very good colour throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Minor trimming and minor soiling. A light centerfold on each sheet. Please refer to the images for full detail!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi is the kabuki version of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet play Hakata Kojorō Namimakura (1718). It tells the story of Sōshichi, a Kyoto merchant who falls in love with the courtesan Kojorō in the port town of Hakata. He becomes caught up with Kezori Kuemon, the leader of a smuggling gang. Kezori, a large and bold role, became closely associated with the Ichikawa acting line.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Library holds a copy of this triptych. Its record dates the design to the eighth month of Tenpō 11 (1840). It links the print to the Nakamura-za in Edo, where the play was performed as the second part of the programme Gion Sairei Shinkōki. The record identifies the scene as the Okudaya scene and names Tsuruya Kiemon as publisher.
The cast gives the print added interest. Ichikawa Ebizō V was the former Danjūrō VII, the leading actor of his age. Only two years later, in 1842, he was banished from Edo under the Tenpō Reforms, which also restricted the production of actor prints. Kunisada, then the most productive actor-print designer in Edo, still used the art name Gototei. He took the name Toyokuni III in 1844.
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: Utagawa Kunisada I (歌川国貞, 1786–1864), later Toyokuni III, signed Gototei Kunisada ga (五渡亭国貞画) on each sheet
Title: 恋湊博多諷 — Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi ("Love at the Port: A Song of Hakata")
Subject: Actors in the Okudaya scene of the play:
Right sheet: Ichikawa Danzō (市川團蔵) as Komachiya Sōshichi (小町や宗七)
Centre sheet: Iwai Tojaku I (岩井杜若) as Hakata Kojorō (はかた小女郎)
Left sheet: Ichikawa Ebizō V (市川海老蔵), formerly Danjūrō VII, as Kezori Kuemon (毛剃九右衛門)
Format: Ōban triptych, three sheets, each ca. [37 × 25 cm]
Technique: Nishiki-e (full-colour woodblock print)
Date: Tenpō 11 (1840), 8th month
Publisher: Tsuruya Kiemon (鶴屋喜右衛門), Tōriabura-chō (seal: 通油町鶴喜板)
Signature / seals: Signed Gototei Kunisada ga on each sheet. Kiwame (極) censor seal and publisher's seal on each sheet
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition: Strong impression with very good colour throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Minor trimming and minor soiling. A light centerfold on each sheet. Please refer to the images for full detail!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi is the kabuki version of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet play Hakata Kojorō Namimakura (1718). It tells the story of Sōshichi, a Kyoto merchant who falls in love with the courtesan Kojorō in the port town of Hakata. He becomes caught up with Kezori Kuemon, the leader of a smuggling gang. Kezori, a large and bold role, became closely associated with the Ichikawa acting line.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Library holds a copy of this triptych. Its record dates the design to the eighth month of Tenpō 11 (1840). It links the print to the Nakamura-za in Edo, where the play was performed as the second part of the programme Gion Sairei Shinkōki. The record identifies the scene as the Okudaya scene and names Tsuruya Kiemon as publisher.
The cast gives the print added interest. Ichikawa Ebizō V was the former Danjūrō VII, the leading actor of his age. Only two years later, in 1842, he was banished from Edo under the Tenpō Reforms, which also restricted the production of actor prints. Kunisada, then the most productive actor-print designer in Edo, still used the art name Gototei. He took the name Toyokuni III in 1844.
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
Height
36 cm
Width
73 cm
Title of artwork
Kunisada Triptych · Ichikawa Ebizō V (Danjūrō VII) as Kezori Kuemon · Tenpō-era Kabuki · 1840
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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