The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Oshizu, from the Play Hana-Ayame Bunkoroku Soga
40.5 cms x 26.7 cms (15.94 ins x 10.5 ins)
Signed by the artist upper along with a seal by publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo (1750-1797)
printed in 1794
Lot offered for sale by Saskatchewan NAC, Regina at the auction event "Canadian and International Prints and Photography" held on Sun, Sep 22, 2024.
Lot 28
Lot 28
Estimate: CAD $240 - $300
Realised: CAD $118
Realised: CAD $118
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
This is a 1970 print from wood blocks, printed by The Japan Association for the 1970 World Exposition for a very limited edition portfolio Selected Masters of Ukiyo-e Prints. The subject Kikunjo was considered the most brilliant actor of female roles of his day. The role depicted is from the play Hana-ayame Bunroku Soga (The Iris Soga of the Bunroku Era) which was performed at the Miyako-za Theatre in Edo in the fifth month of Kansei 6 (1794) from which Sharaku created several portraits.
Notes:
Toshusai Sharaku is the mysterious artist of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints. He created woodblock prints for only one year, 1794-1995) and his real name remains unknown. But his work is now considered among the very best ukiyo-e prints ever made. He is known for his portraits of kabuki actors, but at the time his style (dynamic, sometimes unflattering, not idealized beauty) was met with disapproval and he stopped creating woodblock prints. Experts speculate that he was a Noh actor, or a poet, or even the master Hokusai creating yakusha-e (actor prints) under a pseudonym.
This is a 1970 print from wood blocks, printed by The Japan Association for the 1970 World Exposition for a very limited edition portfolio Selected Masters of Ukiyo-e Prints. The subject Kikunjo was considered the most brilliant actor of female roles of his day. The role depicted is from the play Hana-ayame Bunroku Soga (The Iris Soga of the Bunroku Era) which was performed at the Miyako-za Theatre in Edo in the fifth month of Kansei 6 (1794) from which Sharaku created several portraits.
Notes:
Toshusai Sharaku is the mysterious artist of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints. He created woodblock prints for only one year, 1794-1995) and his real name remains unknown. But his work is now considered among the very best ukiyo-e prints ever made. He is known for his portraits of kabuki actors, but at the time his style (dynamic, sometimes unflattering, not idealized beauty) was met with disapproval and he stopped creating woodblock prints. Experts speculate that he was a Noh actor, or a poet, or even the master Hokusai creating yakusha-e (actor prints) under a pseudonym.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Saskatchewan NAC auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Saskatchewan NAC auction house for permission to use.