YUKI JORO (Natori Shunsen)

N.1 shin-hanga woodblock print
Year: 1951
Condition: good
Size: 27,5 x 40,5 cm

SOLD

Description

Important woodblock print of vertical large oban (大判) format made by Natori Shunsen (名取春仙), the last great master in the art of yakusha-e (役者絵), that is the “actor images” of the kabuki (歌舞伎) theater. In the work we see the actor Otani Tomoemon VII (七代目大谷友右衛門) playing the role of the snow courtesan Yuki Joro (雪女郎).

The woodcut, of an extremely refined workmanship also embellished by the use of mica powder, was produced in December 1951 by Watanabe Shozaburo (渡辺庄三郎), the famous publisher mainly known as the driving force behind the “new prints” shin-hanga (新版画) movement and of which we see the seal on the back at the bottom of the sheet.

The print on Japanese washi paper (和紙), despite the presence of some small spots, is in good condition.