1963 After Harunobu "Adaptation From the Potted Tree Drama", Full-Color Print From Japan

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A stunning full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Adaptation from the Potted Tree Drama", one part of Diptych, … Read more A stunning full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Adaptation from the Potted Tree Drama", one part of Diptych, by Harunobu (died on the 15th of June in 1770 in downtown Edo, former name of Tokyo). Comes from a rare Collection of 24 Masterpieces by Harunobu. Produced & published by Shuei-Sha, Tokyo, in December 1963. Printers: Toppan Printing Co., LTD. Printed on one side. Attached at the top to a board of heavy textured paper, covered with lighter sheet of paper for protection, numbered 10 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board and cover, never framed, ready to be framed. Copy of commentaries (below) in Japanese and English is included.

Overall (folded) 12.55"W x 18.20"H
Overall (unfolded) 25"W x 18.20"H
Image 8"W x 10.7"H

Commentaries on the piece by Ukiyo-e Art consultants & editors Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi:

One part of Diptych
Harunobu: Unsigned
Printer: Unsigned
In the possession of Atami Art Museum

This is an adaptation from the Noh drama known as "Hachino-Ki" (The Potted Tree). The Noh, practically the monopoly of the warrior class, was remote from the Edo Masses of people but the clean humanism of this particular piece - The Potted Tree - so appealed to the Edoites that an Ukiyo-E convention was born in adaptation of the theme and its spirit rather than the form.

The original story of the Noh drama: the reigning Shogun Hojo Tokiyori went on a tour of inspection through the country disguised as a monk. In a remote village, he was beset by a heavy snow, and asked for night's shelter at the door of the first house he came upon. The head of the house welcomed him in and made fire for him by cutting down his cherished three potted trees, plum, pine and cherry. In the course of conversation, Tokiyori found his host to have been the former governor of the area. Much moved by the moral integrity and warm hospitality of the man, hose name is Sano Genzaemon, Tokiyori rewards him with his former estate together with three villas named after the trees the kind host sacrificed for him. See less