UTAGAWA KUNISADA (1786-1865)

As a life-long fan of the kabuki theatre, Kunisada produced this large series of large-head actor portraits in his old age as a monument to his career. Only the finest paper was used and the prints were embellished with expensive metallic pigments, mica and gofun, as well as the use of time-consuming techniques including blind printing and burnishing. During the project Kunisada recruited Utagawa Yoshitora (active circa 1850-80) to assist and a number of the prints are by him (see lot 51).

For the same print in the Tokyo Metropolitan Library, go to https://archive.library.metro.tokyo.jp/da/top and enter accession number C5714-C098