Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Large bust portrait of the young hero Inumura Daikaku, one hand tucked under his sleeve, holding a scroll in the other hand. He is embodied by the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII, whose name is not mentioned for censorship reasons. Two little puppies in the corner of the red cartouche play on the series title. Inumura is one of the eight legendary loyal heroes from the epic warrior novel "Nansô Satomi Hakkenden" (Story of the Eight Dogs of the House of Satomi in Nansō) by Takizawa (Kyokutei) Bakin (1767-1848), here in the Kabuki version "Satomi Hakkenden".
Title: Inumura Daikaku Tarô
Series: Giyû Hakkenden (Loyal Heroes from the Story of the Eight Dogs)
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga
Seal: Kiri mon
Engraver: Hôri Take (Yokogawa Takejirô)
Publisher: Shimizuya, Edo
Censor seals: Mera, Murata
Date: 1847-50
Size: Vertical Ôban, 36,8 x 25,1 cm (overall)
Very nice impression and colours, the kimono with the usual pigment-oxidation. Unbacked. Right margin trimmed to the image border, otherwise with good margins. Unobtrusive horizontal centrefold. Smoothed vertical fold along right margin, restored in bottom, some smaller restored holes. Upper right corner (in margin) somewhat thinner. Verso in top two small paper remnants from former hinging. Overall very good condition. Robinson, Kuniyoshi, 1961, no. 162. Robert Schaap, Kunisada - imaging drama and beauty. Leiden 2016, p. 260, no. 15.7. Cf. also British Museum 2008,3037.06904; ARC Ritsumeikan arcUP1945; Waseda 500-4302.
€ 720,-