{"product_id":"the-fierce-matriarch-kakuju-a-heroine-of-classic-kabuki-後室-覚寿","title":"The Fierce Matriarch Kakuju \/ 後室 覚寿","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eUtagawa Kunisada I \/ 歌川国貞（三代歌川豊国） (1786–1865)\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Fierce Matriarch Kakujū — A Heroine of Classic Kabuki \/ 後室 覚寿\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA commanding female figure from one of Japan’s great theatrical classics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ōban woodblock print depicts \u003cstrong\u003eKakujū\u003c\/strong\u003e, an important character in \u003cem\u003eSugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami\u003c\/em\u003e (\u003cem\u003eSugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy\u003c\/em\u003e), a celebrated drama based on the downfall and exile of the historical scholar and statesman Sugawara no Michizane. In the play, Kakujū is the aunt of Kan Shōjō—the fictionalized Michizane—and the mother of Kariya-hime. She is remembered as a formidable matriarch: severe and perceptive, yet deeply devoted to her family. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKunisada captures that strength in a remarkably restrained composition. Kakujū stands alone in an interior, her body enveloped in an elaborate russet-brown robe patterned with delicate blue blossoms. Beneath it, sweeping layers of black and white create a dramatic vertical rhythm. At her side she carries a sheathed blade, while her composed expression and deliberate posture give the figure an unmistakable authority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBehind her, a standing lantern and flowering plum branches frame the scene against a pale blue sky. The plum is especially resonant within the world of \u003cem\u003eSugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami\u003c\/em\u003e, whose story is closely associated with Michizane and the celebrated legends surrounding him. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vertical cartouche at upper left identifies the character as \u003cstrong\u003e“Goshitsu Kakujū” (後室覚寿)\u003c\/strong\u003e. At lower left is the \u003cstrong\u003eToyokuni ga (豊国画)\u003c\/strong\u003e signature, the name under which Kunisada worked in his later career, together with the carver’s mark \u003cstrong\u003eHori Take (彫竹)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than presenting feminine beauty in the conventional manner of \u003cem\u003ebijin-ga\u003c\/em\u003e, this print centers on \u003cstrong\u003epresence, dignity, and character\u003c\/strong\u003e—a powerful portrait of one of classical Japanese theatre’s strong female roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUtagawa Kunisada I (1786–1865)\u003c\/strong\u003e, later known as \u003cstrong\u003eToyokuni III\u003c\/strong\u003e, was a pupil of Utagawa Toyokuni I and one of the dominant ukiyo-e artists of nineteenth-century Japan. He was especially renowned for \u003cem\u003eyakusha-e\u003c\/em\u003e, portraits of kabuki actors and theatrical characters, as well as \u003cem\u003ebijin-ga\u003c\/em\u003e and literary subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis work is distinguished by confident figure drawing, sophisticated textile patterns, strong color contrasts, and an exceptional ability to translate the visual drama of the kabuki stage into woodblock print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePre-owned and long stored, with age-related deterioration, scratches, soiling, and other signs of wear. Condition 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\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 26 × 37 cm \/ 10.2 × 14.6 in\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ōban\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eShipping\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\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","brand":"AUN selects","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49040780558506,"sku":null,"price":46000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/1237\/1370\/files\/LINE_ALBUM___260812_11.jpg?v=1786518623","url":"https:\/\/aun-selection.myshopify.com\/products\/the-fierce-matriarch-kakuju-a-heroine-of-classic-kabuki-%e5%be%8c%e5%ae%a4-%e8%a6%9a%e5%af%bf","provider":"Aun Selects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}