Utagawa Kunimasa V Woodblock Print "Selections from 'The Water Margin'"
Item Details
A 19th-century ukiyo-e woodblock print on paper titled Selections from ‘The Water Margin’ (見立水滸伝) by Utagawa Kunimasa V (歌川国政, 1874-1944). The Water Margin is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature and was perennially popular in Japan as well as China. The print features Kabuki actors as some of the beloved characters: Ichikawa Danjūrō (市川団十郎) as Shi Jin (史進) the ‘Nine Tattooed Dragons’ (九紋龍) and Ichikawa Sadanji (市川左団次) as Lu Zhishen (魯智深) the ‘Flowery Monk’ (花和尚). THe print’s title is printed within a cartouche in the upper right corner. This woodblock is presented on a wooden surface, behind glass, housed in a gold frame with a gilt finish.
Condition
- wear, tears and minor discoloration throughout the paper; minor wear throughout the frame.
Dimensions
- measures the frame; sheet size measures 9.75" W x 14.25" H.
Item #
18DCC001-045
