The full title of this diptych is “The Miracle of Famous Paintings by Matabei” and is an original Japanese Print signed by Ichijusai Kuniyoshi ga, (Utagawa Kuniyoshi) dated 1853 June. Diptych is in the collection of Japanese prints at many well-known museums, including the. British Museum in London. It portrays one of the many subplots in the play Keisei hangonko (The Beauty Whose Spirit Appears in Incense Smoke) first performed in 1708, which involves a certain artist Matabei who is. With having created the Otsu-e style of folk painting. When Matabei is about to be arrested on false charges, the objects of his paintings magically come to life and defend him. Kuniyoshi portrays him and his work in his studio. In front of him are his sheets of paper and he holds a thick brush laden with ink. In a cloud above him – and to his own astonishment – are all the characters he has painted. Looking at the discarded sheets of paper, we see that they contain only the silhouettes of the characters dancing around him. Kuniyoshi has painted a portrait of the actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Matabei, and the monsters, and demons and historical figures are portraits of other actors. Kuniyoshi included all ten Otsu-e themes – the standard repertoire of Otsu-e artists after the turn of thihe nineteenth century. The 2 prints in this diptych match well with the elements on each print lining up. Each print measures approximately 14.5″ x 10″. Good impression, good color, condition as shown. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\Japan\Prints”. The seller is “laureleileen” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Republic of Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Vietnam.

• Primary Material: Paper
• Color: Multi-Color
• Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
• Region of Origin: Japan
• Age: 1850-1899
• Maker: Kuniyoshi