Dealing in fine Japanese prints, paintings and books since 1968
Dealing in fine Japanese prints, paintings and books since 1968
Click here to view image full size. The actor Nakamura Utaemon III as the ghost of Taira no Tomomori in the play Yoshitsune senbon zakura, “Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees.” Famous for tying himself to an anchor and jumping into the sea at the battle of Dan-no-Ura (1185). Performed at the Kado Theatre, 5 An Osaka print published by Wataya Kihei. Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Gyokuryutei Shigeharu ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A surimono diptych of actors. Shigeharu, according to contemporary accounts, was the only professional full-time actor/print designer. True shikishi-ban Osaka surimono are extremely rare: Anecdotally there are supposed to be some others in the vaults of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Fine impression with burnishing, silver and gold. Fine colour. Light backing with slight offsetting au verso, otherwise good condition. Signed Ryusai Shigeharu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. The complete oban diptych showing ( right ) a bust portrait of Onoe Kikugoro III as Shizuka no Mae and ( left ) a bust portrait of Nakamura Utaemon III as Kitsune Tadanobu in the play Yoshitsune senbon zakura, “The Thousand Cherries of Yoshitsune” performed 10 Illustrated complete in colour in Dean Schwaab, Osaka Prints, 1989, no.141, p.150 and also on back jacket. Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Gyokuryutei Shigeharu ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A surimono diptych of actors. Shigeharu, according to contemporary accounts, was the only professional full-time actor/print designer. True shikishi-ban Osaka surimono are extremely rare: Anecdotally there are supposed to be some others in the vaults of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.AA surimono of a sumo wrestler in a typical stance. The calligraphy above, being gold on a dark blue ground and which might be a guide to the wrestler, is too obscure to read. Although sumo is a rare subject for surimono, there are another two illustrated examples showing a very similar composition and pose. See: The Kunisada, no.100, p.147, Jewels Of Japanese Printmaking: Surimono Of The Bunka-Bunsei Era 1804-1830, Joan Mirviss, Ota Memorial Museum Of Art, 2000; and the ( attrib. to ) Shuntei, p.75, Surimono, Helena Markus, Firenze 1983. Published c late 1820s. Fine impression with burnishing, silver and gold. Fine colour. Light backing with slight offsetting au verso, otherwise good condition. Signed Ryusai Shigeharu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of the actor Arashi Rikan in an onnagata role as Osome. Published by Honsei c1830-32. A border of game cards, balls and battledore and shuttlecock. Forms a complete diptych design with print below. Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Gyokuryutei Shigeharu ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of the actor Ichikawa Danzo in the role of Hisamatsu. Published by Honsei c1830-32. A border of game cards, balls and battledore and shuttlecock. Very good impression and colour. One very small wormhole and minor marks, otherwise very good condition. Full size. Signed Gyokuryutei Shigeharu ga. Status: Sold