Kunisada / Toyokuni III
役者東海道 豊国三代 TOYOKUNI 東海道五十三次の内 赤坂 沢井勘平 嘉永5年(1852)
Actor Bando Mitsuemon I, playing the role of Sawai Sukebei at Station 37 on the Tokaido. And what do you think he’s staring at through the telescope, an advancing army? No, he’s looking at an acquaintance of his having sex with a prostitute. Apparently in the Kabuki play, he gets so excited he passes out.
Toyokuni III's 1852 series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" pairs kabuki portraits with the stations along the famous Tokaido Road. Each design features a half-length figure in the foreground, with a border of clouds separating the actor from the landscape above. Interestingly, the title cartouche of each print is framed by different objects related to the kabuki character or play, including armor and weapons, household objects, flowers, horse equipment, and traveler's clothing and baggage. The large expressive characters are beautifully drawn and detailed, with fine line work in the hair and soft bokashi shading in the backgrounds. (length 36.9 cm × width 25.8 cm).
Condition: Very good color and impression, not backed, margins as shown.
Date: 1852