Framed Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Oban by Yoshitsuya - Ca 1850

This authentic ukiyo-e woodblock print captures the vibrant spirit of kabuki theatre in 19th-century Edo. Created by Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866), a distinguished pupil of Kuniyoshi, it belongs to the celebrated series Ehon Ukiyo no Sugata (絵本浮世我姿 - "Picture-Book: Figures of the Floating World").

The composition presents the actor Mimasu Gennosuke in the role of a wife (*nyōbō*), staged at the Nakamura Theatre in Hamachō. With its finely rendered kimono patterns, subtle colouring, and bold Utagawa-school linework, this print exemplifies the best traditions of yakusha-e (actor prints) and the wider Utagawa school of ukiyo-e.

For collectors of Japanese prints, the piece offers not only striking decorative presence but also a window into Edo's theatrical culture. Actor portraits like this remain highly sought-after for their historical significance and their role in shaping the visual identity of kabuki.

• Artist: Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866)
• School: Utagawa school of ukiyo-e
• Series: Ehon Ukiyo no Sugata (絵本浮世我姿 - "Picture-Book: Figures of the Floating World")
• Subject: Kabuki actor Mimasu Gennosuke as the wife of Sanjō Genzaburō
• Date: c.1850s, Edo period
• Format: Vertical ōban (approx. 37 x 25 cm)
• Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), polychrome on paper
• Genre: Yakusha-e (kabuki actor portrait), bijin-ga influenced
• Print Size: 15.5 x 22.5 (wxh cms)

A fine example of Yoshitsuya's actor portraiture, offering both historical significance and decorative presence for collectors of Japanese art.

This old print has been reframed by our skilled team  in the UK in a simple matte black wood frame.