Kunikazu: The three brothers
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Utagawa (Isshusai) Kunikazu (act. c. 1848-1868)

A scene from the third act of the famous Kabuki play „Sugawara Denjû Tenarai Kagami“ (Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy):

The three brothers Matsuomaru (right, performed by Arashi Kichisaburô III), Umeômaru (middle, played by Jitsukawa Ensaburô I) and Sakuramaru (left, actor Bandô Hikosaburô V) on the banks of a river. In the background a hilly spring landscape with blossoming cherry trees.

Title: Sugawara

Signature: Kunikazu

Publisher: Kinkodô, Osaka

Date: 1859, 3rd month

Size: Chûban triptych, 24,2 x 54 cm overall

Excellent impression, very fine colours, with gauffrage and metal pigment and visible woodgrain. Minor trimming at top and left sides. The joined sheets retain old album backing. A few small wormholes near the folds, minimal soiling. Very good condition.
Ill. Waseda, Kamigata Prints in the Later period, Tokyo 1997, p. 97, No. 416. Cf. also MFA Boston, Bigelow Coll., No. 11.35795a-c a.o.

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