Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Sanno Festival: The Actor Nakamura Utaemon IV"

This exceptional portrait shows the actor Nakamura Utaemon IV portraying the fabled Danshichi Kurobei. Considered to be the archetype of the otokodate hero, or the everyman and former samurai who protects the common person from a cruel ruling class, Danshichi's exploits are immortalized in many kabuki plays and woodblock prints.

Series: Views of Edo Selected for the Twelve Months
Date: 1852
Size: Oban
Publisher: Tahara-ya Sakujiro
Condition: Light wear right edge, otherwise very fine color and condition
Frame Shown: 16” x 24”, Classic Wood, Clear Walnut

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) is one of Japan's greatest masters of ukiyo-e printmaking from the Edo period. Many of Kuniyoshi's works are regarded today as archetypes of woodblock prints produced during the Edo period and highly prized by collectors.