Toyohara Kunichika "The Actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro"

A rare tattoo print of the actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro portraying a character in a kabuki play of "A Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The tattoos shows Kaosho Rochishin (Lu Zhishen) from the story of the 108 Heroes of the Suikoden story, and a dragon. Prints from this series are distinctive for their silhouette of a festival in the background.

Series: Parody of the Three Kingdoms
Date: 1862
Format: Oban
Condition: Excellent color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2", Classic Wood, Ebony

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) was a prolific woodblock print artist whose works portraying kabuki plays and actors are noted for their use of rich, deep colors.