Kunichika - Percival Spencer - One Hundred Roles of Baiko

Toyohara Kunichika

A hard to find print of Onoe Kikugoro V as the English Balloonist Spencer and Onoe Unosuke (inset image). In Ueno Park, in 1890, Percival Spencer ascended 3,500 feet into the air suspended from a hot air balloon, then jumped to the ground with a parachute. The stunt resulted in the kabuki dance-drama "Riding the Famous Hot-Air Balloon". He wears a plaid cap, gold buttoned vest, and gray gloves.

One Hundred Roles of Baiko - In 1893, Kunichika was commissioned to create the series "One Hundred Roles of Baiko," chronicling the diverse characters played by the famous actor Onoe Kikugoro V, whose pen name was "Baiko." These fantastic prints feature a large portrait of Kikugoro V in one of his major roles, along with a small scene showing a supporting actor from the same play.

Date: 1894

Publisher: Fukuda Kumajiro

Condition: Good color, margins as shown, stain on eye and fold lines. Backed on Edo-era paper..

Genre: Ukiyo-e