Posted by Hans Olof Johansson (217.209.153.207) on April 08, 2004 at 13:19:03:
In Reply to: woodblock print help posted by art_vandelay_industr on April 06, 2004 at 17:15:48:
Elaine,
Sorry for deleting most of your messages. Instead I have added the images you sent me to your original message.
Your prints are both depictions of actors in kabuki plays, and as "nj joe" suggested in a message that I accidentally deleted together with yours, they are both designed by Kunisada (1786-1865).
The first one is a portrait of Nakamura Shikan - possibly Shikan II (1796?-1852, from 1836 known as Nakamura Utaemon IV). The signature reads "Gototei Kunisada ga", and the publisher was Tsutaya Kichizô.
The second one seems to be a print in a series of scenes from the kabuki play "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" (title cartouche in the upper right corner). The signature reads Kôchôrô Toyokuni ga, and the censors' seals tell us that it was published between 1847 and 1850.
Best regards,
Hans Olof