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Subject:Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Jaime Thu, Jun 24, 2021 IP: 2603:8001:6f00:7f:ca

Can someone please help me identify this print? I think it is Kunisada/Toyokuni but can you also tell me the title?
Many thanks for your help!
Jaime





Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Stan Fri, Jun 25, 2021

The artist is Toyokuni I. Perhaps I. Nagy can identify the actor?

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: I.Nagy Sat, Jun 26, 2021

Name of actor reads,
坂東三ツ五郎 - Bandō Mitsugorō (3rd gen.)
Publisher's mark,
万屋吉兵衛  - Yorozuya Kichibei

With regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Michael James Fennell Sat, Jun 26, 2021

Toyokuni II I think from the signature.
Best
Michael

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Horst Graebner Sun, Jun 27, 2021

Mitsugorō’s III role is not written on the print. But it is clearly that of Hayano Kanpei in "Kanadehon Chushingura".
I know only the performance at the Ichimura theatre from 7/1827 in which Mitsugorō III staged this role.
And so the artist of the print is Toyokuni II.

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Stan Sun, Jun 27, 2021

Michael,

I didn't look carefully enough at the signature. I think you are right.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Horst Graebner Mon, Jun 28, 2021

Dear Stan,

this old distinction (see fig. 1) is wrong: "Signatures from left to right- Toyokuni I, Toyokuni II and Toyokuni III (Kunisada)".

The way in which Toyokuni's I and II signatures are written does not differ in prints published from c. 1820 on.
Kabuki prints of Toyokuni I and Toyokuni II can only be distinguished by identifying actors, roles and the plays being performed.
No distinction by signature is possible with bijin or other prints from this period.
Fig. 2 shows the signatures of datable prints of Toyouni I (from left to right): 1812, 1815, 1818 (1), 1818 (2), 1820, 1822 and 1824).
Fig. 3 Signatures of Toyokuni II: 1825, 1826 and 1829.
Horst











Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Horst Graebner Mon, Jun 28, 2021

Oops, I made a mistake with a signature:
The right signature on Toyokuni I is also the left one on Toyokuni II.
Correct is Toyokuni I from 1824.
Toyokuni’s II signature from 1825 is this one.

Fig. 1 is not displayed on the other post. I try it with another file name.

Horst





Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Stan Mon, Jun 28, 2021

Dear Horst,

Even with the loss of information in your post, I can see what you mean. A couple of my Toyokuni I prints have a signature very similar to the original post.

Cheers,
Stan





Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Jaime Tue, Jun 29, 2021

Thank you, gentlemen, for your help. I initially thought it was Toyokuni II based on stylistic elements. It seems like Toyokuni I's kabuki prints mainly depict actors against a plain background and not one as complex as the forest in this print, but I could be wrong.

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Horst Graebner Thu, Jul 01, 2021

That is also not a sure differentiator.
If you go to the side of the Hankyū Bunka
http://www.hankyu-bunka.or.jp/archive/?app=shiryo&mode=list&list_id=988
and enter 豊国[1] in the search field (c & p with the insert function of your browser), you will find 787 entries from Toyokuni I.
The prints are in chronological order and you will also find many prints of Toyokuni’s I with a "filled in" background.

For Stan: Unfortunately I have not found any prints (neither in Hankyū Bunka nor in other databases) that allow a reliable dating of your prints.

Horst

Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Stan Thu, Jul 01, 2021

The JAODB puts the date of the Segawa Kikunojo print at 1922 (see link). Like the JAODB, I suspect it is part of a triptych. I'd love to see (and own) the other two pages.

The only place online I have found the print of Ichikawa Danjuro in the snow is at the Ritsumeikan University. I can't get a date from the page.

https://www.dh-jac.net/db/nishikie/results-big.php

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :Segawa Kikunojo


Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: Horst Graebner Fri, Jul 02, 2021

I think the role name Kikunojō’s is Miyakodori Oroku (都鳥おろく) and not Miyakodori Onami (都鳥おなみ).
Compare the two spellings in a Kunisada sketch book by the MfA.
It remains open, however, whether Kikunojō played both roles in "Kanegafuchi kabuki no furugoto" or whether the sketches come from different plays.
The book is definitely from 1822 and therefore the artist of your print is definitely Toyokuni I.
Horst

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/539518/sketch-actor-segawa-kikunojo-v-as-miyakodori-no-onami?ctx=08c8e270-b0d9-401a-9408-e1a902f2f91d&idx=0

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/539501/sketch-actor-segawa-kikunojo-v-as-onna--oroku?ctx=856f2575-3f4c-4d7b-89fe-0f7445eaef45&idx=1113

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Subject:Re: Japanese Print Identification
Posted By: I.Nagy Sun, Jul 04, 2021

1, 都鳥おなみ  - Miyakodori Onami
2, 女馬子おろく - Onna Mago Oroku

With regards,
I.Nagy


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