Utagawa Toyokuni I (初代歌川豊国) (artist 1769 – 02/24/1825)
Ōtani Tomoemon II (大谷友右衛門) with a Scroll
1805
9.75 in x 14.5 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Publisher: Mikawaya Seiemon
(Marks 328 - seal 16-011)
Censor's seal: kiwame
Date: 12/1805
This print poses a series of so-far unanswered questions, mainly because there are no other examples to be found. What is the role? What other prints look like this? Even the costume the actor is wearing seems unique. Is this one panel of a diptych or triptych? These are questions we hope to answer in the future.
Mikawaya Seiemon (三河屋清右衛門) (publisher)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Ōtani Tomoemon II (二代目大谷友右衛門: from 11/1795 to 3/24/1830) (actor)