Hana Yūjo Suikoden (A Suikoden of Beautiful and Brave Women)

US$3,800.00

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Hana Yūjo Suikoden [A Suikoden of Beautiful and Brave Women]

Ōju [Toyohara], Kunichika [illustrated by].

Ningyochō, [Edo]: Gusokuya [Kahei], [1869].

A striking woodblock-printed triptych by Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900) depicting the heroes of the Suikoden as ten elaborately tattooed and weapon-bearing women. Each figure in the yakusha-e represents a kabuki onnagata, with celebrated male actors shown dramatically displaying their tattooed bodies. The male actors depicted include Bandō Hikosaburō V, Onoe Kikugorō V, Sawamura Tosshō II, Ōtani Tomoemon V, Sawamura Tanosuke III, Iwai Shijaku II, Nakamura Shikan IV, Kawarazaki Gonnosuke VII, Bandō Mitsugorō VI, and Ichikawa Kuzō III. Van Gogh is known to have owned an impression of the rightmost print from this triptych. A scarce and visually arresting work, whose complexity becomes all the more compelling upon close examination of the intricate tattoo designs.

Three ōban leaves, each woodblock-printed on one side, complete. Wear, creases, discolouration, small wormholes, and light stains. Minor washi paper repairs to versos. Horizontal centre fold to each print. Minor trimming. Each print measures approximately 36.5 x 25 cm.

Hana Yūjo Suikoden (A Suikoden of Beautiful and Brave Women)
Price: $3,800.00 (USD)