Kawanabe Kyôsai (1831-1889)
A light-coloured tomcat under the branches of a red-flowering hibiscus, intently watching a group of young mice, one of which narrowly escapes.
Series: Kyôsai rakuga (Kyosai's amusing pictures)
Signature: Seisei Kyôsai ga. Seal: Kyôsai
Printer: Horii
Publisher: Unsôdô, Kyoto
Date: first 1881, here a later edition from the original printing blocks.
Original Japanese colour woodblock print. Size: 18 x 25,2 cm (image), 27 x 36,5 cm (overall)
Good impression, from the original printing blocks. Excellent colours. A tiny spot at lower left margin, minimal creases in margins. Overall excellent condition.
The first edition of "Kyôsai rakuga" was published in 1881 as two leporello albums by Morita Tetsugorô and Takeda Den'emon, from whom Unsôdô acquired the original printing blocks (Cf. Smithsonian, Pulverer Collection, FSC-GR-780.295.1-3).
sold