Mid 19th Century Japanese Ukiyo-E Woodblock by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni Iii) "Juro Sukenari, Station #9: Oiso"

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Beautiful mid 19th century Japanese woodblock print of a samurai by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada) (Japanese, 1786-1864/5). This piece is … Read more Beautiful mid 19th century Japanese woodblock print of a samurai by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada) (Japanese, 1786-1864/5). This piece is from a series of "The 53 Stations of the Tokaido" and was originally a diptych. It depicts the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII in the role of Juro Sukenari, in the play Soga Mono. Artist's chop is on the right edge of the piece. Presented in a cream mat, with a black and red frame and plexiglas. Image size ~14.5"H x 10.5"W

During his lifetime Kunisada Utagawa was considered to be the best print designer by his contemporaries. He was more popular than Hiroshige, Hokusai or Kuniyoshi. And Kunisada was extremely productive. His total output is estimated at more than 20,000 designs, many made by his students.

Kunisada was born near Edo (today Tokyo) as the son of an affluent merchant with a ferry boat license. At the age of fifteen he joined the famous art school of Utagawa Toyokuni and took the name Kunisada.

In 1807 the young artist produced his first illustrated book. And in 1808 his first actor prints were published. His fame grew fast. While other artists like Kuniyoshi Utagawa or Hiroshige had to fight for recognition for years, he was successful from the beginning.

He should become the most commercially successful of all woodblock printmakers ever. His early success may not have had a good influence on his personality. He had a reputation for his conceited personality.

Kunisada designed a wide spectrum of traditional ukiyo-e subjects like kabuki themes, beautiful women, historical events and quite a few shunga prints. He made few landscapes. See less