Rare 58-page Album Japanese Chirimen-e Woodblock Prints Kunichika
item#: 1303951
price: SOLD
Rare 58 page accordion album of Japanese chirimen-e (creped) woodblock prints by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) dating from the 1860s (late Edo/early Meiji). Included are two triptychs and one oban print by Kunisada (signed Toyokuni III). The album consists of seven triptychs, one two-panel composition, and 35 oban images, for a total of 43 individual prints. Included are prints from the following series: "Famous Places of Edo," "Twenty-four Likenesses of Actors," "Contest of Riddles with Thirty-six Poems," "Opened Fans Blooming with Flowery Words," "Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital," "Actors in Theatrical Hits as Great Heroes in Robber Plays," and "List of All Words Which Contain Ki" (Kunisada). The prints are album backed and mounted single-sided. They could be easily separated. Each oban sheet measures about 8 3/8"V x 5 3/4"H. Colors are vivid and the overall condition is excellent. Additional images and a complete list with full attributions are available upon request. This album is from the collection of Harutami and Michi Ajiki.