Edo nishiki imayō kuni zukushi (江户锦今样国尽 - Modern...

An exceptional and cohesive set of four (4) original Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) from the mid-19th century, created by one of the greatest masters of the Edo period – Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This beautifully preserved lot belongs to Kuniyoshi's celebrated series titled "Modern Descriptions of Provinces in Edo Brocade Prints" (Edo nishiki imayō kuni zukushi), published around 1852. The series brilliantly juxtaposes the historical geography of old Japan with dramatic scenes from the immensely popular Kabuki theater and local folklore. Each print features a stylized cartouche (in blue or red) in the upper corner indicating the historical province, while hidden artists' signatures (国芳画 - Kuniyoshi ga) can be found rendered in elegant calligraphic script on various wooden architectural elements within the scenes. The Scenes and Provinces in this Lot: Awa Province (安房): A dynamic theatrical scene featuring highly expressive figures (blue cartouche). Sagami Province (相模): A nocturnal or shadowy atmospheric composition with striking characters (oval red cartouche). Aki Province (安芸): A dramatic scene set in front of traditional architecture, showcasing Kuniyoshi’s mastery of textile patterns (rectangular red cartouche). Sado Province (佐渡): A powerful coastal scene set against churning waves beneath a pine tree (rectangular red cartouche). Condition and Provenance: The prints are in good antique condition given their impressive age of over 170 years. The colors remain well-preserved, and the paper displays a lovely, natural age-toning and gentle patina that guarantees its historical authenticity. They are neatly mounted with passe-partout matting and enclosed in matching black frames. Remarkably, the reverse sides of two frames still retain old handwritten paper labels reading: "Kuniyoshi, Japanski drvorezi (Edo)" (Kuniyoshi, Japanese Woodcuts (Edo)), offering a wonderful testament to the history and long-term care of this mini-collection.As a matching set of four works from the same series, this lot represents a superb opportunity for passionate collectors of Japanese art or anyone seeking a high-end decorative collection with deep historical value.

Estimate:$280.11

View all items fromCatawikiorAncient Art