歌川国貞二世—坂東彦三郎が演じる浮世又兵衛、大津絵の画家 - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)
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Original Utagawa Kunisada II woodblock print from the Meiji period (c.1860s–70s), Ōban tate-e in nishiki-e (ca. 36 × 24 cm), depicting Bandō Hikosaburō as Ukiyo Matahei, signed Baidō Kunisada, in excellent condition with provenance from a private collection, country of origin Japan.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada II 二代歌川国貞, signing Baidō Kunisada 梅堂國貞筆 (1823–1880)
Series: "A Contest of Famous Flowers", title cartouche upper right
Subject: Ukiyo Matahei 浮世又平, played by Bandō Hikosaburō 坂東彦三郎
Date: Bakumatsu to early Meiji, c. 1860s–1870s
Format: Ōban tate-e, nishiki-e approx. 36 * 24cm
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Condition: Excellent, fresh colours. Minor trimming, largely confined to the area outside the image. Please refer to the images for full condition details.
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About the print:
A half-length actor portrait set against a flat, saturated crimson ground, with an inset landscape panel (koma-e) framed at the top of the sheet.
The role is Ukiyo Matahei, the semi-legendary Ōtsu-e painter of the Genroku era — the figure Chikamatsu dramatised as the stammering artist Dōmo no Matahei in Keisei Hangonkō, and one of the enduring folk-heroes of the Japanese print world. Kunisada identifies him unmistakably by dressing him in his own creations: the robe carries the Oni no Nenbutsu (the demon in priest's robes with gong and mallet), the single most famous of all Ōtsu-e motifs, worked in green against scarlet flames. More painted figures crowd behind his shoulder, together with the white paper streamers of a votive gohei. The conceit — an artist wearing his own pictures — is the kind of visual pun the Utagawa school did particularly well, and it gives this sheet more interest than a standard actor bust.
The koma-e above shows a cherry-blossom scene with wooden signboards and a thatched teahouse, in the manner of an Edo meisho vignette. Read alongside the series title Meika Kurabe, it suggests the set paired kabuki roles with celebrated flower-viewing places — a common mitate structure in the period.
Printing quality is high: fine hairline carving in the wig and sideburns, careful registration across the flame pattern, and the deep unbroken red ground that Utagawa-school publishers used to make a single sheet carry across a shop window.
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 II 二代歌川国貞, signing Baidō Kunisada 梅堂國貞筆 (1823–1880)
Series: "A Contest of Famous Flowers", title cartouche upper right
Subject: Ukiyo Matahei 浮世又平, played by Bandō Hikosaburō 坂東彦三郎
Date: Bakumatsu to early Meiji, c. 1860s–1870s
Format: Ōban tate-e, nishiki-e approx. 36 * 24cm
----------------------------------------------------------
Condition: Excellent, fresh colours. Minor trimming, largely confined to the area outside the image. Please refer to the images for full condition details.
---------------------------------------------------------
About the print:
A half-length actor portrait set against a flat, saturated crimson ground, with an inset landscape panel (koma-e) framed at the top of the sheet.
The role is Ukiyo Matahei, the semi-legendary Ōtsu-e painter of the Genroku era — the figure Chikamatsu dramatised as the stammering artist Dōmo no Matahei in Keisei Hangonkō, and one of the enduring folk-heroes of the Japanese print world. Kunisada identifies him unmistakably by dressing him in his own creations: the robe carries the Oni no Nenbutsu (the demon in priest's robes with gong and mallet), the single most famous of all Ōtsu-e motifs, worked in green against scarlet flames. More painted figures crowd behind his shoulder, together with the white paper streamers of a votive gohei. The conceit — an artist wearing his own pictures — is the kind of visual pun the Utagawa school did particularly well, and it gives this sheet more interest than a standard actor bust.
The koma-e above shows a cherry-blossom scene with wooden signboards and a thatched teahouse, in the manner of an Edo meisho vignette. Read alongside the series title Meika Kurabe, it suggests the set paired kabuki roles with celebrated flower-viewing places — a common mitate structure in the period.
Printing quality is high: fine hairline carving in the wig and sideburns, careful registration across the flame pattern, and the deep unbroken red ground that Utagawa-school publishers used to make a single sheet carry across a shop window.
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
王朝様式/時代
Meiji period (1868-1912)
原産国
Japan
帰属
Original
高さ
36 cm
幅
24 cm
作品タイトル
Utagawa Kunisada II — Bandō Hikosaburō as Ukiyo Matahei, the Ōtsu-e Painter
コンディション
Excellent condition
来歴
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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