Kunisada (Toyokuni III ) Woodblock Print of Actors: Night Rain

DescriptionJapanese antique woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (1786–1864) titled: Night Rain at Hirefuri Peak (Hirefuri-mine yoru no ame): Actors Iwai Kumesaburô III as Ôtomo’s Daughter (Sokujo) Wakana-hime (R) and Nakamura Shikan IV as Toriyama Shûsaku Terutada (L), from the series Eight Views of Shiranui (Shiranui hakkei no uchi).Kunisada was born to a family that owned a ferry boat service allowing him the time and money to devote to art. At an early age, he impressed the great master, Toyokuni I of the Utagawa school. He became his apprentice, officially adopting the name Kunisada around 1807. It was during this time that Kunisada’s book illustrations became popular. He is most famous for his actor portraits, bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) and scenes of life in Edo. Kunisada adopted his master’s name in 1844-1845 becoming Utagawa Toyokuni III. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential woodblock print artists of the time.Publisher: Hirookaya Kôsuke (Kikujudô)Age: Dated 1861 (Edo Period)Dimensions: 14 1/8″ high x 19″ wide