Kunisada: Red Shoki and Demon (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada
Title: Red Shoki and Demon
Date: 1833

Nakamura Shikan as Shoki, the Demon Queller. Images of Shoki were often printed in red and sold as talismans against misfortune and disease. Auspicious images of Shoki were displayed for the Boys’ Day Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month. This may be the scene of the Red Shoki in the play “Kyo Kokonoe Yaoi no Hanamichi”.  The actor may also be known as Nakamura Utaemon  IV, who was large and imposing. The three-toed demon with horns and a tiger-skin skirt looks fierce yet helpless, and he stands out with his full colors against the painterly red strokes that comprise the image of Shoki, who is shown in his Chinese garments as per tradition.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Minor repaired wormage near top edge.
Series: Views of Edo Chosen for the Twelve Months
Dimensions: ôban 37 x 25.2 cm
Publisher:  Yamamoto-ya Hiekichi
Signature: Gototei Kunisada ga

SKU: KUC019S