Kabuki Actor

Kabuki Actor KUNIYOSHI, Utagawa (1797-1861) Japan, Edo period, first half of the 19th century. Sheet dimensions: 37.7 x 25.4 cm. Worm holes restored in the lower margin, small hole in the upper margin and left margin. Paper area thinned in the lower right margin on the verso. Colors still well preserved, notably the beautiful blue of the garment. Kabuki actor, seated, wearing a loose blue costume with fine undulations, wearing a headdress and holding a Buddhist rosary (juzu). On the left, signature (Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga), accompanied by the artist's red seal and two censor seals. This signature is characteristic of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, the last great master of ukiyo-e.