Kunichika (1835 - 1900 )
Kunichika Toyohara was born Yasohachi Arakawa, the son of a public bathhouse proprietor in the artisan section of Edo. As a young man, he studied with the ukiyo-e artist Chikanobu, from whom he received his artist name. He then apprenticed under Kunisada and began to produce actor prints in the Utagawa style, though he never used the Utagawa name. Kunichika married and had one daughter, though his marriage ended due to his questionable personal conduct.
Known for his actor okubi-e (big-head portraits), Kunichika's prints captured a traditional genre with the bold new colors of aniline dyes. He made great use of the deep, scarlet red to dramatic effect. In addition, he produced some historical prints and journalistic illustrations. Passionate about kabuki theater, Kunichika regularly spent time backstage, sketching the actors and watching the plays. This wealth of personal experience in the theater lends an intimacy to his impeccable yakusha-e (actor prints). Before the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Kunichika Toyohara was chosen by the Japanese government to present his work at the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris.
48 Products
Kunichika
Kabuki Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Ishikawa Goemon
JPR-209732
Kunichika
Springtime Haze at the Edo Theater: Kabuki Actors Bando Hikosaburo (R) Nakamura Shikan (C), and Bando Mitsugoro (L)
JPR-209711
Kunichika
Ichikawa Danjuro as Kumagai Naozane and Ichikawa Yonezo as Taira no Atsumori
JPR1-19978
Kunichika
Kabuki Actor Sawamura Tanosuke III as the Female Kansuke
JPR-209729
Kunichika
Kabuki Actor Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Shibahimo Tanzaemon
JPR-209721
Kunichika
Kabuki Actors Nakamura Sojuro as Akoya, Nakamura Shikan IV as Kagekiyo, and Nakamura Sagisuke
JPR-209470
Kunichika
Modoribashi: Actor Ichikawa Sadanji as Watanabe no Tsuna and Onoe Kikugoro Disguised Demon
JP110837
Kunichika
Raiko and the Earth Spider with Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Earth Spider
JP110433
Kunichika
Kabuki Play Modoribashi, Inoue Kikugoro V as the Demon of Mt. Atago Disguised as Sayuri
JP1-51191
Kunichika
Sawamura Tanosuke III as Stepdaughter Kakezara
JPR-209139
Kunichika
Miuraya Scene: Sukeroku and Courtesan Agemaki
JPR-97139
Kunichika
Introducing Two Kabuki Plays at the Nakamura Theater
JP110821
Kunichika
Ichikawa Danjuro as Kumagai Naozane and Onoe Kikugoro as Taira no Atsumori at the Ichinotani Battle
JP1-21196
Kunichika
Ushiwaka-maru and Benkei on the Gojo Bridge
JP110819
Kunichika
Kabuki Actors Onoe Kikugoro, Kataoka Gado and Bando Kakyo
JP1-51184