Kunisada: Uchiwa-e (fan print) of an actor holding a sword (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada
Title: Uchiwa-e (fan print) of an actor holding a sword
Date: 1853

“Purple of Edo” (Edo murasaki). This is a type of Genji-e in the style of the wildly popular Rustic Genji by Fake Murasaki (Nise murasaki inaka Genji): Mitsûji) Genji is portrayed in a purple checked kimono adorned with butterflies and his family crests. The parody plays on the word murasaki (purple) referring to the author of the Genji Tale, Murasaki Shikibu and also the color purple. In Edo the typical Edo purple was created at the time and treasured. Here Mitsûji (Prince Genji) is portrayed inside a fence, with a house and a gate with a blossoming cherry tree in the background. The title cartouche is decorated with the Genji incense symbols. Due to the distinctive facial features, this could be a portrait of Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII, who may have played a role in an Inaka Genji production at the time.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: uchiwa-e
Publisher: Hisa
Seal: Censor’s seals: Muramatsu & Fuku
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS331