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The owner describes this as a book of 8 hand colored prints. I believe that they are drawings of kabuki actors. Noting the worm damage in the upper left of some pictures and upper right in others, I believe that they were originally bound in a fan book with worm damage to one corner. Can anyone confirm my guess and perhaps identify the individuals depicted?

The right column on the cover looks like a signature. I am working to translate it, but have been unsuccessful so far. Any help is appreciated.

I have an opportunity to purchase this book. Any guesses as to what I should pay?

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers,
Stan

The title on the cover reads, from the right to the left, 'Kamigata-e nikuhitsu' (Handpainted pictures from the Kamigata) / 'Yakusha nigao shû' (A collection of actor portraits rendered with likeliness).

The Kamigata is the region comprising Osaka and Kyoto. Next to Edo as the center of ukiyo-e production, artists from this region developed their own dictinctive style in depicting kabuki actors performing in Osaka and Kyoto, called 'Kamigata-e'.

The brushwork is done by an amateur artist, probably copying existing woordblock prints. Strangely, the actors are not rendered in the Osaka style but in pure Edo manner. Also, I recognize the actor as Matsumoto Koshiro, who was famous in Edo.

Guy.

Guy,

Thanks a lot for your help. I also thought they were in the Edo style.

I was on the fence about whether I was interested in buying this book. If it turned out that the author was known, I might have bought it. I think I'll pass. There are too many better thing to buy.

Cheers,
Stan

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