Description
Very refined polychrome woodblock print of large vertical format taken from the series “54 Views of Modern Genji” (現時五十四情) made around 1884 by the artist Toyohara Kunichika (豊原国周). The print, edited by Takekawa Seikichi (武川清吉), illustrates the chapter 45, entitled “The Bridge Maiden” (橋姫).
Kunichika, one of the last ukiyo-e (浮世絵) masters, is best known for his kabuki actors’ prints. He also painted beautiful women and, for some special occasions, historical scenes. Many stories of women, debts, parties and his need to move frequently are told about him. It is not clear how many of these stories are true, but it is thought that they are based on facts that actually happened, but particularly exaggerated.
The work is in very good general condition, thanks also to a thick relining made on the back with a second sheet of Japanese washi paper (和紙).
