Utagawa Toyokuni III, "Praying for Hits in the Waterfall of Unanswered Prayers"

Mount Oyama in Kanagawa Prefecture west of Tokyo (Edo) was a popular site for Edo-period visitors seeing spiritual cleansing and religious inspiration. In this striking design, Toyokuni III (Kunisada) pays homage to a coterie of popular kabuki actors, each of whom are set against the purifying water of Oyama's Roben waterfall. Some of the actors are depicted with intricate tattoos a snake among ivy, peonies, chrysanthemum, and dragons in clouds. The actors are also shown holding various offerings, including bells and wooden swords adorned with the names of the gods said to transmit their blessings at the waterfall. 

Date: 1861
Format: Oban Triptych (each sheet approx. 9" x 14")
Publisher: Enshuya Hikobei
Condition: Light trimming and toning, otherwise very fine color and condition

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865) is one of Japan's most prolific and well-known Japanese woodblock print artists to emerge during the peak of ukiyo-e period printmaking. As was common among Japanese artists at the time, his moniker evolved from his teacher and master, Toyokuni I (1769-1825), as his prominence grew.

Custom matting available for triptych prints. Sizes will be determined for best presentation in consultation with customer - overall size range will be 20" - 22" (height) X 38" - 40" (width). Note that additional shipping charges apply (sorry, no international shipping available for matted triptychs).