Toyohara Kunichika

1835-1900

Six Selected Actors: Actor Sawamura Tosho
(Haiyu Rokka Sen: Sawamura Tosho)

signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu with artist's Toshidama seal, publisher's seal Tori Ichi, Manson han (Yorozuya Magobei of Kinkeido), carver's seal Watanabe Ei, ca. 1873

oban tate-e 13 3/4 by 9 1/4 in., 35 by 23.5 cm

The actor Sawamura Tosho is in the role of Kanzesui no Okiku. This print is from a onnagata series depicting actors holding a western style umbrella paired with an elaborate uchikake (outer-robe). Western influences entered ukiyo-e prints in many ways, influencing compositional styles, decorative features, and subject matter. This series took popular actors of the day and paired the western accessories with traditional motifs, creating an interesting juxtaposition in the generally traditional kabuki theater.

Reference:
Nobutaka Imamura, ed., Ukiyo-e (Kunichika), Kyoto University of Art & Design, March 2018, p. 18, no. 118
(inv. no. 10-4543)

price: Sold