Kuniyoshi: Actors as Animals of the Buddhist Zodiac (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: Actors as Animals of the Buddhist Zodiac
Date: ca. 1848
Series: One of three in the series “Comic Parts for the Twelve Signs” (Dôke miburi ju-ni-shi)

Popular actors of the time are portrayed as the twelve animals of the Chinese (Buddhist) zodiac. Upper right is Onoe Kikujirô II as Rat, crouching into a rat shape with his towel tied up as ears and his hands in a pawlike pose. His belt tie trails next to him like a tail. Lower right is the actor Onoe Tamizô II as Ox. He is large and hulking and wears a black robe that forms an oxlike shape. Upper left is Ichikawa ˚Kuzô II as Tiger. He has two folded paper ears, a yellow robe and a sash that trails like a tail. He is posed next to a screen with a painting of bamboo--depictions of tigers are traditionally paired with bamboo. Lower left is Iwai Kumesaburô III as Rabbit. His towel is tied up as long ears, and he poses in a rabbitlike shape. His robe features waves: The theme of rabbits in the waves is fairly common in Japanese art, evolved from a story of a rabbit tricking sea creatures into hopping across their backs to cross from Oki Islands to Cape Kita on the main island. Together with the other two works from this series, a triptych may be formed.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Very minor tape remnants, verso
Dimensions: ôban 37.1 x 25.4 
Publisher: Ebisu-ya Shôshichi
Literature: Robinson 180 (series of 3). 
Seal: Watari (censor)
Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUC219