Jason Portrr - 15-Year Collector

Jason Portrr has been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for approximately 15 years, with a particular interest in the vivid world of kabuki. He is drawn to the way artists transformed theatrical performances into elaborate works of art – capturing dramatic moments, expressive actors, intricate costumes, and imaginative stage settings.

My favorite artists include Toyohara Kunichika, Utagawa Yoshiiku, Baidō Hōsai, and Toyohara Chikanobu. I particularly enjoy the dramatic actor and kabuki imagery associated with these late Edo and Meiji-period artists.

What appeals to you about collecting ukiyo-e?

I especially enjoy seeing the way kabuki scenes were interpreted and presented by the artists of the period. There is so much detail and imagination in these prints – from the actors and costumes to the staging and dramatic moments they depict.

Favorite Prints and Subjects

Kunichika is a particular favorite, and I’m also drawn to prints depicting seppuku and other dramatic scenes from Japanese history and theater.