ORIGINAL 1833 KUNISADA UTAGAWA (TOYOKUNI III) “NAKAMURA SHIKAN’S DANCE OF NINE CHANGES” JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT. The print is titled. Nakamura Shikan’s Dance of Nine Changes: Servant Girl. Nakamura Shikan Kuhenge no uchi: Fumitsukaimusume. The Dance of Nine Changes series is comprised of 9 different prints and was completed by Kunisada in 1833. In this scene, the Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan is depicted as a woman (servant girl) wearing a kimono and holding a box. This woodblock appears to be quite RARE. I can only find one other example pictured online. It resides in the collection of the Tokyo Museum. The print measures about 14 1/4″ tall and 10 1/4″ wide (vertical ôban). Appears in the lower right margin. Below the signature is the Kiwame censor seal and the Yamamotoya Heikichi publisher mark. The print was created in March of 1833. It is unframed and appears to be untrimmed. It’s guaranteed to be an original 1833 print and NOT a later edition. To my knowledge, this print has never been republished. Utagawa Kunisada, known later as Toyokuni III, was the most popular, prolific, and financially successful designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th-century Japan. He was born near Edo as the son of an affluent merchant with a ferry boat license. At the age of 15, Kunisada joined the famous art school of Utagawa Toyokuni and took the artist name Kunisada. Almost from the first day of his activity, and even at the time of his death in 1865, Kunisada was a trendsetter in the art of the Japanese woodblock print. Always in tune with the tastes of the public, he continuously developed his style, which sometimes radically changed, and did not adhere to stylistic constraints set by any of his contemporaries. His productivity was extraordinary. His total output is estimated at more than 20,000 designs. Condition of this antique woodblock print is VERY GOOD. The colors are still quite strong and look very similar to the example at the Tokyo Museum. There are a few thin spots in the paper that are barely noticeable unless you hold the print up to the light. The paper on the top left corner is very thin due to damage from a previous attachment (see photo). There appears to be some Japanese writing on the back side of the print. Overall, this collectible woodblock print displays well and would make a wonderful addition to any Kunisada collection. Please take a close look at the many photos I’ve provided and judge condition for yourself. This particular print from the Dance of Nine Changes series is very hard to find. See my other listings. For more great items! Top Portion of Print. Bottom Portion of Print. Closeup of Kabuki Actor Nakamura Shikan. Artist Signature, Kiwame Censor Seal, & Publisher Mark. Title of Print: Nakamura Shikan`s Dance of Nine Changes: Fumitsukaimusume. Markings on Left Side. More Markings on Left Side. Text on Rear Side? Loss to Rear Surface of Top Corner From Previous Attachment. I will insure this item at my own expense. Txzj pxzj11575 txzj-11 txzj85 txzj115.
