{"product_id":"mg1823-kunisada-actors-with-poems-japanese-woodblock-print","title":"Kunisada - Actors with Poems","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUtagawa Kunisada\u003c\/strong\u003e (1786-1865)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eActors with Poems\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1861\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ukiyo-e, Yakusha-e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Japanese Woodblock Print, Oban\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/strong\u003eKagiya Shōbei\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKawarazaki Gonjuro I as Aku Shichibee Kagekiyo, from An Untitled Set of Actors with Poems. Kunisada created this set of half-length actor portraits featuring kabuki figures accompanied by poems written on vertical imitation wooden slips. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis print is from the play, Kiichi Hōgen Sanryaku no Maki. The play is the story of three brothers loyal to the Genji Clan, set against the ruling Heike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach print presents a restrained, formal composition, often pairing the actor portrait with a poetic inscription rendered to resemble wood grain, evoking the style of ema plaques used at shrines. Some designs also include small inset figures or still-life elements that act as symbolic references to the subject, though not all prints in the set follow this format.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe series is notable for its subtle, contemplative tone and refined late-style draftsmanship. Backgrounds often feature embossed textures, and the printing quality emphasizes surface detail and tonal richness. The set remained relatively obscure for many years, with surviving examples appearing infrequently on the market.\u003cbr\u003eMost designs are based on contemporary performances from 1861–1862, though some may be conceptual “mitate” interpretations rather than literal stage depictions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, this is an important late work by Kunisada, combining theatrical portraiture, poetic text, and symbolic design in a highly finished and collectible series. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eVery good condition, backed on Edo-era paper.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mie Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43882998693966,"sku":"MG1823","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0095\/7602\/2094\/files\/mg1823-Kunisada-Actorswithpoems-japanese-woodblock-print.jpg?v=1781980124","url":"https:\/\/miegallery.com\/products\/mg1823-kunisada-actors-with-poems-japanese-woodblock-print","provider":"Mie Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}