(1786 - 1865)
THE CHÛSHUNTEI RESTAURANT: ACTOR NAKAMURA UTAEMON IV AS YURANOSUKE IN THE CHUSHINGURA DRAMA, 1852
Colour woodblock print, 1852, from the series in vertical ôban format Famous Restaurants of the Eastern Capital, published by Fujiokaya Keijirô.
This print has been designed by Kunisada together with Hiroshige I.
Signed Toyokuni ga in the Toshidama cartouche and Hiroshige on inset, red Hiro seal. Censor’s seals Mera and Watanabe, date seal Rat 11. Very good impression and colour. Good condition, light album backing. 342 x 247 mm.
Kunisada became a pupil of Toyokuni at the age of 15. In 1807 the young artist produced his first illustrated book, and in 1808 his first actor prints were published. His fame grew fast. While other artists like Kuniyoshi or Hiroshige had to fight for recognition for years, he was successful from the beginning. Kunisada designed a wide spectrum of traditional ukiyo-e subjects like kabuki themes, beautiful women, historical events and quite a few erotic prints. He made few landscapes. In 1825 Toyokuni I had died. Later in 1844 Kunisada decided to take the name of his master and called himself Toyokuni.
