Toyokuni I: Actors as doomed lovers (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Title: Actors as doomed lovers
Date: ca 1798

Ichikawa Komazo II in the Role of Akeneya Hanshichi from the play Hadesugata On’a Maiginu. Nakayama Tomisaburo plays the role of Sankatsu. The MET curatorial staff noted that this print shows the tension of a couple’s hopeless relationship. The courtesan Minoya Sankatsu holds the letter they have written to his family as part of their preparation for double suicide. A rare design with unusually fresh color. There is mica on her collar.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Repair upper left corner that does not seem to go through the paper. Some trimming.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Nishimuraya Chô (?)
Literature: See MFA for an inferior example, MET.
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: TOK044