Fukuyama (Utagawa) Yoshitoyo (1830-1866)
An furious leopard in captivity, attacking a cock.
Title: 西両国に於て興行 - Nishiryôgoku ni oite kôgyô (Exhibiting a leopard in Western Ryôgoku)
Signature: Ichiryûsai Yoshitoyo ga
Block carver: Hori Kane (Koizumi Kanegorô)
Publisher: Kikuya Ichibei, Edo
Date: 7/1860
Size: Verical Ôban, 35,1 x 23 cm
Very good impression and good colours. A little faded, some creasing (smoothed), a little rubbing and a paper thinnng in some spots. Overall good condition. A very energetic depiction of the famous leopard, that was imported to Japan and exhibited in Tokyo in 1860. This event stirred great public interest and was illustrated several times in woodblock prints. Rare.
Ill. in: Ann Yonemura, Yokohama. Prints from Nineteenth-Century Japan, Washington D.C., 1990, p 152f, Cat. No. 61
Cf also: MFA Boston, (Bigelow Collection) No. 11.37318; Smithsonian, Freer Sackler Gallery No S 1998.108.
sold