1964 After Sharaku "Actor Segawa Kikunojo in the Role of O'Shizu, the Wife of Bunzo", Full-Color Print

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A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Segawa Kikunojo in the role of O'Shizu, the … Read more A stunning large full-color Ukiyo-E Hanga print after original woodblock print "Actor Segawa Kikunojo in the role of O'Shizu, the wife of Bunzo" by Toshusai Sharaku. Comes from a rare Collection of 24 Masterpieces by Sharaku. Produced & published by Shuei-Sha, Tokyo, in September, 1964. 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 4 on the label on the front of the cover. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, minor age wear on the cover, never framed, ready to be framed. Copy of the commentary by Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi (below) in Japanese and English is included.

Overall (folded) 12.50"W x 18.25"H
Overall (unfolded) 25"W x 18.25"H
Image 9.90"W x 14.30"H

Commentary by Ukiyo-e Art consultant & editor Dr. Kiyoshi Shibui and Mr. Sadao Kikuchi:
Signature: signed Toshusai Sharaku
Printers: Tsutaya Juzaburo (with a seal)
In the possession of Mr. Kikusuke Sasaki, Tokyo

This is said to be most worthy of Sharaku's female portraits, or rather female impersonators' portraits. The role represented is the wife of Tanabe Bunzo who, in trying to avenge the murder of his father on Fujikawa Mizuemon, gets killed by him. The color scheme of her garment - crimson and light green-is pleasant. The dramatically upturned eyebrows and her slant passionate eyes, her round young face, and her right hand placed in between the folds of her sash in the typical manner of a woman absorbed in thoughts - these things combined singularly give this picture a tone of melancholy, an air of pathos even, strongly in contrast with its bright exterior. Such control over drawing lines and such insight into colors are a thing striven for by most Ukiyo-E painters without success.

Segawa Kikunojo III comes from a family f famous female impersonators. An adopted son of Segawa Kikunojo II, he was so influential he became the head of the company, a difficult thing for a female impersonator to become however excellent. He is known as the best stage wife in the Kansei period. See less