Kunisada: Suketakaya Takasuke II as Denbei 三代目助高屋高助 紀友則　傳兵衛

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
Title: Suketakaya Takasuke II as Denbei 三代目助高屋高助 紀友則　傳兵衛
Series: Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems 見立三十六歌撰之内(Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)
Date: 1852

The actor Suketakaya Takasuke as Denbei. He is striking a pose, and his eyes point in conflicting directions, reflecting the inner turmoil of the character. The story of the tragic lovers Oshun and Denbei and their love suicide was a very popular subject for kabuki plays, including the play Chikagoro Kawara no Takehiki. Behind him, above a cloud-delineated scene of the shore, a flock of plovers fly through the air. The poem in the pink cartouche is by Ki no Tomonori. This series is appreciated for the virtuosity of its printing and for the drama of the portraits. These famous kabuki roles are compared with the famous 36 poets from medieval history. Featuring deluxe mica in the sky and on the shore.

Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition; minor trimming to left.
Dimensions: ôban (36.8 x 24.9 cm)
Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi
Literature: See MFA for another example (this example is superior in its condition).
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS496