Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865)
The five legendary heroic bandits, dressed in chequered Benkei-jima kimonos, equipped with swords and shakuhachi flutes (also used as weapons), firefly-hunting on a summer night on wooden footbridges at the waterside, surrounded by blooming irises.
A scene from one of the enormously popular kabuki plays dealing with the “Gonin Otoko” (five manly men), actually five notorious Osaka robbers. The actors here are unnamed. The heroes from right to left: Karigane Bunshichi, Kaminari Shôkurô, An no Heibei, Gokuin Sen'emon and Hotei Ichiemon.
Signature: Toyokuni ga, in Toshidama cartouches
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizô (Kôeidô), Edo
Censor: Aratame
Date: 1855, 6th month
Size: Ôban pentaptych, c. 36 x 124,5 cm (overall size)
Excellent impression and colours. Unbacked, separate sheets. The sheets only very slightly trimmed at the sides. Few small defects, as little stains, paper thinning, small repairs, slight soiling in margins. Overall in excellent, fresh condition.
A very rare and beautiful complete suite of five prints. Only found at the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, Waseda University, No. 006-2009-2013
sold