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Subject:15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Carlos M Sat, Apr 11, 2015 IP: 72.80.71.247

please help with identification of this large 24 by 38 inch woodblock print.







Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Stan Sun, Apr 12, 2015

This appears to be a collage generated for decorative purposes. The prints are shrunken, overlapped, and printed on a large background.

The one print you show in its entirety (second pic) appears to be by Kunisada II and is of actors in a kabuki play.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Carlos M Mon, Apr 13, 2015

Stan, thanks for your reply. However, this work is still a woodblock print, with all the skill and effort needed to produce it, and wonder if it's just a collage generated for decorative purposes.

Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Stan Fri, Apr 17, 2015

I learn something new every day. By every day, I mean today. I went to the Boston MFA to see an exhibition of Japanese Toy Prints. That is what you may have. Below is a toy print by Kunisada II. It is about 2 feet square. If the only signature on your print is Kunisada II, then that is likely what you have. If there are other signatures on the piece, then what I said above applies.

Also below is an example of a board game with the 53 Stations of the Tokaido.

Cheers,
Stan





Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Carlos M Tue, Apr 21, 2015

Stan, the info you provided is great. I've done some research on Kunisada II, and his signature, to me appears all over. I'm providing some other images that seem to bear this out. If this is an original piece by Kunisada II, then, how valuable might this piece of art be?

Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Carlos M Wed, Apr 22, 2015

My attempt to send follow-up images of further signatures on this piece failed! I'm resending them.







Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Stan Wed, Apr 22, 2015

Since I didn't know these existed until a few days ago, I have no idea what one is worth. The interesting thing is that most toy prints were made to used (cut up - think paper dolls) by children. Thus, not many survived. You know enough to search the internet for examples.

Cheers,
Stan





Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Carlos M Thu, Apr 23, 2015

Stan, again thanks for your further input. I found out that Kunisada II was not only prolific in work output, but also very successful. One website dedicated to Kunisada II (Toyokuni III) hones in on this. In his lifetime, used perhaps hundreds of different signatures, all the more complicated.


From what I have found out, I don't think this piece to be a Japanese Toy print. Instead, perhaps a commissioned worked, depicting a Kabuki play. My woodprint does not have the folding tabs, necessary to assemble the cutout into a 3-D peice. I did find other pieces like mine on one website.

Your input very much appreciated. I learned a few things.
Carlos

Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Stan Sat, Apr 25, 2015

Correction: Kunisada II = Toyokuni IV. You're looking at the wrong artist.

Here are the signatures I see in the last pictures you posted (from top down): Kuni (somebody), Toyokuni (done the way Kunisada I (aka Toyokuni III) did it), and ditto on the last one. Thus, I think I see at least 4 signatures on the print. I don't know that it can be attributed to any one artist.

Toy prints don't necessarily have tabs. That is one use for them. The first two examples I posted above don't.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: 15 panel woodblock print
Posted By: Carlos M Thu, Apr 30, 2015

Stan,

Thank you again for your very thoughtful and elaborate response. It is very much appreciated. But wow! I do have plenty of ammunition on which to further research. Again thanks.

Carlos


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