Hokuei: "Nakamura Shikan II as Tawara Tōda Hidesato" Original Woodblock Print (c.1834)

Features

Signed

Size

Medium (up to 36 in)

Originality

Original

This ukiyo-e print is the left half of an original diptych by renowned woodblock artist Shunbaisai Hokuei (春梅斎北英), titled "Nakamura Shikan II (中村芝翫) as Tawara Tōda Hidesato (俵藤太秀郷)", dated 1834. Hokuei, a prominent Osaka-based ukiyo-e artist, captures Nakamura Shikan II, a famous kabuki actor, in the role of the legendary warrior Tawara Tōda Hidesato who battles the centipede queen Otohime. The intricate details of the armor, expressive facial features, and dynamic pose vividly bring the kabuki character to life, showcasing Hokuei’s mastery in portraying theatrical subjects. The composition’s background, with its crescent moon and distant castle, adds depth and narrative tension to the scene. Hokuei’s use of bold lines and delicate color gradations exemplifies the refined Kamigata-e style characteristic of Osaka prints during this period. Two known complete copies (left + right halves) of this print are preserved in prestigious collections abroad: one at Waseda University Library in Tokyo and another at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, according to woodblock print data available online. These institutional holdings highlight the historical and artistic significance of Hokuei’s work. This particular piece is only the left half, but remains a striking example of this medium's history as both art form and utility as a form of advertisement. Dimensions: 9.5" x 14.25" unmounted, without frame. Provenance: From the private collection of a collector of Japanese fine art based in Sakata, Yamagata. Ownership documentation and certified translation included. Independent appraisals are encouraged. Please contact via message for more information.

Style

Realism

Medium

Woodcut & Block