Japanese Meiji Era Woodblock Print - Toyohara Kunichika

Japanese Meiji Era Woodblock Print - Toyohara Kunichika RARE MEIJI-ERA JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT Dive into the world of traditional Japanese art with this rare Meiji-era woodblock print, showcasing a Kabuki actor in a dramatic pose, complete with intricate details and vibrant colours. This print has been preserved well and is in good condition given its age. A Masterwork Portrait of late 19th-Century Meiji Kabuki Theater by Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900) Up for auction is a magnificent, highly vibrant, and authentic 1874 ukiyo-e nishiki-e (multi-colored) woodblock print. This striking single-panel work showcases the distinctive aesthetic transition of the Meiji period, masterfully illustrated by Toyohara Kunichika, widely celebrated as one of the final titans of the traditional Japanese woodblock medium. Title: Kotobuki Utsubo Zaru (常磐津 寿靫猿 – The Congratulatory Quiver Monkey / The Hare-Man Shōsuke) Artist: Toyohara Kunichika (豊原国周筆), complete with authenticated vertical signature cartouche and red artist seal on the left margin. Master Carver: Meticulously hand-carved by the famous artisan Katada Horichō (片田彫長), featuring exceptionally fine, hair-thin line work surrounding the subject's hairline and features. Subject Matter: The celebrated superstar Bandō Hikosaburō V (坂東彦三郎) in his dynamic, athletic stage role as the samurai footman Yakko Otohei (奴音平). Composition & Narrative: The character is captured in a powerful theatrical pose (mie), tightly gripping a traditional ritual rabbit/monkey mask at the bottom of the frame. The scene is backed by a rich, dark atmospheric gradient beneath a cascading canopy of vibrant pink and white cherry blossoms Technical Specs & Proportion Format: Standard vertical ōban (大判) sheet orientation. Full Dimensions: 11.25" x 16.25" (Approx. \(28.5 \times 41.3\) cm). Margin Status: Rare full-sheet size with original uncropped margins intact. This pristine preservation prevents the edge clipping typical of framed period prints, significantly enhancing long-term collector value. Condition Report & Provenance Notes Color Preservation: Excellent. The deep Prussian blues of the robe, crisp black ink calligraphy, and vivid crimson/orange accents of the under-kimono remain strikingly rich with minimal historical fading. Registration: Flawless alignment. The precision edges between the distinct color blocks showcase master-tier mid-Meiji pressing techniques. Paper & Impression: Authentic mid-1874 handmade mulberry paper (washi). Under angled light, faint organic wood-grain patterns (mokume-hada) are subtly visible in the solid fields, indicating an early-stage press run from the original woodblocks. Framing: Housed securely in a modern, clean-lined matte black display frame Pickup at Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue