Kunisada: Hatchobori District in Edo (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada
Title: No Hyaku Hatchobori
Series: Edo no hana meisho-e (Flowers of Edo and Views of Famous Places)
Date: 1863

Titled “No Hyaku Hatchobori,” we see famous aspects of this particular district in Edo. In this rather complex series of 70 prints there is a lot going on in each design, as in the upper right are the standards and lanterns for the specific fire brigade, and on the upper left are scenes pertaining to the fame of the district. Here we see ehon (woodblock-printed picture books) in the upper left corner. One page of the ehon is open, and a bookmark with tassel is shown. Each print highlights the most famous aspects of an individual district in Edo, and includes a scene from the district and a kabuki actor portrait that relates to the place in some way. Kunisada designed the actor portrait and various (21! in total for the series) other artists designed the landscape scenes. Collaborating artists here include Kyôsai and Hiroshige II.L ower right is the actor Ichikawa Danzo VI in the role of Yajirobei. This is from the second group in the series.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: ôban (37.2 x 25.4 cm)
Publisher: Katôya Iwazoô (Seibei)
Literature: See MFA, FAMSF (Achenbach) museums online. A reference book has been privately published by Simon Henry that examines this entire series.
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS470