Yoshitoshi 芳年: Ichikawa Kodanji in the Rain (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 芳年 (1839-1892)
Title: Ichikawa Kodanji in the Rain
Date: 1860

Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Torii Matasuke. The waves of his hair contrast with the boldly depicted sheets of rain that form a curtain around his dramatic countenance. The curtain parts to reveal the actor clenching a sword between his teeth, his eyes fixed in the mie dramatic pose. From the play Kagamiyama gonichi no Iwafuji. Matasuke plays a faithful servant who is about to commit a terrible crime on the orders of his master, Lord Toga. A fantastic and rare early design, created when Yoshitoshi was only about 20 years old. 

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Barely visible center fold. With added mica on the sword and special printing effects on the hair.
Dimensions: ôban (36.5 x 25 cm)
Publisher: Kadokin
Literature: Keyes number 17. See Beauty & Violence, number 2, page 32.
Signature: Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu

SKU: YOCS062