Kunishige (active 1847 - 1855) Biographies of Brave Men at the Heights of their Careers: Nakayami Nansha II as Tsukimasu, c.1854. Deluxe Chuban.
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This very beautiful chuban portrait is by the little-known Osaka artist, Kunishige. Kunishige was a pupil of Kunimasu; otherwise little is known about him and he is not to be confused with Shigeharu who also used this name.
This print is one of the most perfect Osaka prints I have seen. The quality of the printing is breathtaking: the deluxe use of double and triple printing; the application of metallics and mica; the embossing and burnishing are quite spectacular. These are simply exquisite jewel-box items when the condition and colour are as good as this.
The print is a portrait of Nakayama Nanshi as Tsukimasu in the play Shitennoji garan kagami at the Naka Theater (Osaka) from the series Biographies of Brave Men at the Height of Their Careers ("Eika jinyuden"). The play, Shitennoji, is based on historical events: the rivalry between two courtiers following the death of Emperor Yomei in 587. Historically, the two courtiers, Soga no Umako (Umako Daijin in the play) and Mononobe no Moriya (Umaya Daijin in the play) each supported a different prince to succeed Emperor Yomei. Soga no Umako successfully managed to murder Moriya and his protege became Emperor Sushun. Becoming resentful of his mentor, Emperor Sushun was finally murdered by Soga no Umako in 592 and he was replaced with Umako's niece, who became Empress Suiko. He also appointed Suiko's nephew Prince Shotoku as regent. In Shitennoji Garan Kagami, Umaya was a powerful and dangerous villain, who plotted to take over control of the empire. He fought against Umako Daijin and Prince Shotoku. It is unclear from the available synopses how the female character, Tsukimasu fits into the plot.
Nevertheless, we are gifted a superb portrait of a male actor in a female role, in outstanding condition. Colour and impression are truly outstanding, condition is very fine notwithstanding some light offset above Tsukimasu’s eye and hand. Unbacked, a great print from a master printmaker. The only copy I can find is in the Fine Arts Museum San Francisco.
25 x 17.5 cm.
