Triptych - Paper - 1850-1900 - Toyohara Kunichika

Magnificent ukiyo-e triptych depicting a famous scene from kabuki theater, titled 『Kanjinchō』 ('The Register of Subscriptions'), one of the most renowned plays in the kabuki repertoire.

The work is signed 香朝楼筆 (Kochōrō Kunichika), the artist name of the great Toyohara Kunichika (豊原国周, 1835–1900), one of the masters of the late Edo period and early Meiji era, renowned for his expressive portraits of actors.
• Subject: Kabuki scene with actors Ichikawa Danjūrō, Nakamura Fukusuke and other famous roles from the Kanjinchō drama.
• Artist: 香朝楼国周 (Kochōrō Kunichika)
• Publisher: 島亀吉 (Shima Kamekichi)
• Publication date: 1890 (Meiji 23 era)
• Title of the play: 歌舞伎十八番内 勧進帳 (Kabuki Jūhachiban uchi – Kanjinchō)
• Format: Triptych ōban tate-e (each sheet approx. 36 × 25 cm)
• Technique: Wood engraving, polychrome printing (nishiki-e)
• Condition: Good overall condition for its age – slight wear and creases, small stains – reverse side slightly marked by pigments (see photos). Vibrant colors and high-quality printing.
• Back: Unmounted, reverse side visible.

This work depicts the dramatic tension between the monk Benkei and his lord Yoshitsune, hidden among his men. Kunichika powerfully captures the expressions and sumptuous costumes of the actors.

A superb collector's item illustrating the pinnacle of kabuki theatre in the Meiji era.

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Shipping:

Carefully packaged between two rigid plates, with tracking number.