Kunichika: Kabuki Actor with Peony Tattoo and Carp Robe (Sold)

Artist: Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900)
Title: Tattooed Ichikawa Danjuro and Bando Kakitsu
Series: Arigataki Megumi no Hanagata 有瀧恵花形 Kabuki Stars Before a Gracious Waterfall
Date: 1883

Here we see Ichikawa Danjuro as Araiso no Sho and Bando Kakitsu as Tachibanaya Tsuru. He is seated on a platform with his tobacco implements out, and she is tying up her wet hair,  comb in mouth. These are famous actors in well-known roles, the pretext being that we are able to glimpse them relaxing at a waterfall and are able to admire their extensive tattoos.  Here Danjuro seems to be pointing to the glowing embers in the container that is meant to light his tobacco pipe; he seems to be indicating with a look of slight reproach that his companion should be careful in not letting her wet hair drip onto it. He is seated before a tray with smoking accessories. His tattoo of red peonies is visible at the edges of his robe, which features a large carp and a large jewel design. The work is luxuriously printed, with metal pigments on his robe and mica sprinkled along the top of the print. This set of five works contains a pair of actors posed in front of a waterfall on each sheet, with the title cartouche present on every design. Together the five also form a pentaptych.

Small area of pigment transfer on the face of Danjuro.

SKU: KCA107