{"product_id":"inaba-kozo-emerging-from-the-shadows-onoe-kikugoro-v-in-early-meiji-kabuki","title":"Inaba Kōzō Emerging from the Shadows — Onoe Kikugorō V in Early Meiji Kabuki","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1869（明治2年）頃 \/ c. 1869\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e錦絵・木版 \/ Nishiki-e woodblock print\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e大判 \/ Ōban\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis original ukiyo-e actor print by \u003cstrong\u003eToyohara Kunichika\u003c\/strong\u003e depicts the celebrated Kabuki actor \u003cstrong\u003eOnoe Kikugorō V\u003c\/strong\u003e in the role of \u003cstrong\u003eInaba Kōzō\u003c\/strong\u003e. Museum records identify Kunichika's \u003cem\u003eKabuki Actors (Onoe Kikugorō \/ Inaba Kōzō)\u003c\/em\u003e as a work from \u003cstrong\u003e1869 (Meiji 2)\u003c\/strong\u003e, originally conceived as part of an \u003cstrong\u003eōban-format triptych\u003c\/strong\u003e. Another impression bearing the same actor and role is preserved in the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than relying on elaborate scenery, Kunichika isolates the actor against a deep, almost black interior. Kikugorō appears through the architectural frame of a doorway or partition, one hand gripping its edge as he leans forward. His dark indigo checked kimono, restrained salmon-colored sash, and sharply articulated face create a striking contrast against the shadowed background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is remarkably theatrical: the surrounding darkness works almost like a stage spotlight, concentrating attention on the actor's expression and posture. The vertical cartouche identifies \u003cstrong\u003eInaba Kōzō\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eOnoe Kikugorō\u003c\/strong\u003e, while Kunichika's signature appears at lower left. The cropped, architectural composition gives the print an unusually modern graphic quality while retaining the immediacy of nineteenth-century Kabuki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eToyohara Kunichika (1835–1900)\u003c\/strong\u003e was one of the foremost artists of \u003cem\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e, or Kabuki actor prints, during the transition from the Edo period into Meiji Japan. He entered the studio of \u003cstrong\u003eUtagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)\u003c\/strong\u003e as a teenager and became particularly celebrated for his powerful actor portraits, expressive faces, and sophisticated use of color. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKunichika remained deeply connected to the Kabuki world and was known for observing actors and their expressions backstage. Today he is regarded as one of the defining ukiyo-e artists of the Meiji period, particularly for his vivid documentation of nineteenth-century Kabuki culture. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAntique, pre-owned woodblock print with age-related wear, including visible staining, soiling, rubbing, creasing and general deterioration consistent with long-term storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition as shown in the photographs. Age-related wear consistent with an antique woodblock print. Please examine the photographs carefully before bidding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available. Each artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the unlikely event that the artwork is lost or damaged during transit, \u003cstrong\u003ewe will take responsibility and provide appropriate compensation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Please contact us promptly with photographs and details of the issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImport duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e豊原国周 \/ Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInaba Kōzō Emerging from the Shadows — Onoe Kikugorō V in Early Meiji Kabuki\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ec. 1869 (Meiji 2)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNishiki-e woodblock print\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eŌban\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtwork Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ukiyo-e Kabuki actor print is by \u003cstrong\u003eToyohara Kunichika\u003c\/strong\u003e, a leading \u003cem\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e (actor print) artist from the late Edo to Meiji periods. It depicts the renowned actor \u003cstrong\u003eOnoe Kikugorō V\u003c\/strong\u003e in the role of \u003cstrong\u003eInaba Kōzō\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuseum records indicate that Kunichika's \"Kabuki Actors (Onoe Kikugorō \/ Inaba Kōzō)\" dates to \u003cstrong\u003e1869 (Meiji 2)\u003c\/strong\u003e and was originally part of an \u003cstrong\u003eōban-format triptych\u003c\/strong\u003e. Another impression of \"Inaba Kōzō \/ Onoe Kikugorō\" is preserved at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is particularly striking about this work is its bold use of \"darkness.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKikugorō emerges from what appears to be a door or partition frame, set against an almost black interior. His deep indigo checkered kimono, pale vermilion obi, and the stark white of his face create a powerful contrast against the dark background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition, where the figure appears to float out of the darkness like a stage spotlight, captures a moment of intense theatrical tension through the actor's gaze and posture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe architectural framing of the figure is also remarkably bold, making this \u003cstrong\u003ean actor print from over 150 years ago that possesses a sharp, modern graphic quality\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eToyohara Kunichika (1835–1900)\u003c\/strong\u003e was an ukiyo-e artist active from the late Edo to Meiji periods, known as a master of \u003cem\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e (Kabuki actor prints).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe entered the studio of \u003cstrong\u003eUtagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)\u003c\/strong\u003e as a teenager and subsequently established a unique style that boldly captured actors' expressions and stage presence. Deeply connected to the Kabuki world, he was known to observe actors' expressions and gestures backstage. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith his vivid colors and powerful depiction of figures, he is now highly regarded as \u003cstrong\u003eone of the representative ukiyo-e artists of the Meiji period\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique, pre-owned woodblock print with age-related wear, including visible staining, soiling, rubbing, creasing, and other deterioration consistent with long-term storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is as shown in the photographs. As an antique woodblock print, it exhibits age-appropriate wear. Please examine the photographs carefully before purchasing or bidding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available. Each artwork will be carefully packaged and shipped with tracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the unlikely event that the artwork is lost or damaged during transit, \u003cstrong\u003ewe will take responsibility and provide appropriate compensation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Please contact us promptly with photographs and details of the issue upon arrival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImport duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf applicable, these charges are determined by your country's customs authority and are the responsibility of the customer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AUN selects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49040806248618,"sku":null,"price":46000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/1237\/1370\/files\/LINE_ALBUM___260812_2.jpg?v=1786519075","url":"https:\/\/aun-selection.myshopify.com\/products\/inaba-kozo-emerging-from-the-shadows-onoe-kikugoro-v-in-early-meiji-kabuki","provider":"Aun Selects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}