Kunisada: Cat Witch Kabuki Scene (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada
Title: Kabuki Scene Featuring the Spirit of the Cat Stone
Date: 1857

Representing the stations Shirasuka and Futakawa on the Tokaido Road, we see the actors Kawarazaki Gonjûrô I as Ittô (right) and Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the monster of the Cat Stone (Nekoishi). This series made clever comparisons between kabuki scenes and stations of the Tokaido Road. The white fur of the cat witch features very detailed blindprinting, showing the many hairs comprising the fur of the actor’s wig. The costume, which also featured cat ears and cat paws, must have been most impressive.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Backed.
Dimensions: ôban (36 x 24.4 cm)
Signature: Toyokuni ga
Publisher: Kiya Sojiro
Literature: Marks, Kunisada's Tôkaidô (2013), #T66-17; Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation, Nyan to mo neko darake/ Cats of Many Varieties (2012), #179. See MFA online for an inferior example.

SKU: KUS456