Kunisada - Ferry Man Tonbei at Kanagawa

Kunisada

Dramatic picture of actor Ichikawa Ebizô V as Ferryman (Watashimori) Tonbei. His hair and beard were depicted in unusual red curly hair lines.

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

Publisher: Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (Kinshôdô)

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/219062