Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865)
Three famous actors enjoying the evening cool on the Sumida river on a hot summer evening. Behind them a tipsy company on yet another pleasure boat. Swallows are flying under the mighty pillars of the Azuma bridge in the foreground.
Title: Azumabashi yûsuzumi no zu (吾妻橋夕涼之図 – Enjoying the evening cool at Azuma bridge)
Signature: Toyokuni ga
Block cutter: Hori Shôji (Tsuge Shôjirô)
Publisher: Tsujiya Yasubei (Tsujiyasu, Kinkaidô), Edo
Censors: Hama and Magome
Date: 1853, 5th month
Size: Oban triptych, c. 37,5 x 76,6 cm (overall)
Excellent impression and colours. Three separate, untrimmed and unbacked sheets. Few minor stains and smudges (partly caused by printing), else excellent condition.
A rare, very impressive composition by the artist. Particularly noteworthy the large-scale depiction of the persons, the elaborate design of their light summer kimonos, and the very powerful design of the wooden bridge construction.
The actors are: the onnagata (female impersonators) Bandô Shûka I (right) and Iwai Kumesaburô III (left); in the middle sits Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII.
Cf. Digital Collection of the Japan Arts Council, No. 15114 (0073594-000-001/002); Tokyo Metropolitan Library 0462-C5/東C0462-C005; Waseda University Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, No. 006-2578/2579/2580 (identification of the persons)
sold