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Subject:Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Chris Mon, Jun 13, 2022 IP: 2600:8801:fb00:a16:d

Hello,

You all have been incredibly helpful in helping me identify my woodblock prints that had no prior attribution. There are still a couple with which I will be requesting similar assistance, but for now I want to lateral to a few woodblock prints for which I already possess *some* information but would like to once again add knowledge about these respective works to better help me appreciate them and/or backfill information as part of the ongoing cataloging process.

This one already has quite a bit of information typed out on a label attached to the backing. I know it is by Kunisada (a.k.a., Toyokuni III), published by Kawaguchiya Uhei (1790-1849), and that the censor seal dates to between 1848-1858.

However, I am hoping the community here (e.g., I. Nagy, et al) may be able to help me understand the narrative of what is occurring, who the character(s) portrayed may be, etc. Any other additional information (e.g., who the censor was) would similarly be warmly appreciated, and I thank (the collective) you in advance for the same.

Kind Regards,
Chris





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Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: mp.kunst Tue, Jun 14, 2022

One of the Seven Lucky Gods in the Kabuki-e style.
He is Daikokuten the God of Wealth and Prosperity.

Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Chris Wed, Jun 15, 2022

Thank you, mp.kunst, for the identifying the character in the inset.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Stan Tue, Jun 14, 2022

Your print is the god Daikoku from the series "Parodies of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Matching Pictures" (Ekyôdai mitate Shichifuku).

Depicted is the actor Nakamura Fukusuke I as Nuregami Chôgorô.

See the link below for a less faded copy at the Boston MFA.

Cheers,
Stan



URL Title :Daikoku


Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Chris Wed, Jun 15, 2022

Thank you once again Stan for the informative reply as well as the link to the curated example at the Boston MFA, both which are warmly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Horst Graebner Tue, Jun 14, 2022

The artist is Kunisada I, here signing "Toyokuni ga".
The date is dragon 7 (c. 7/1856), the censor seal is "aratame" and the publisher Iseya Kanekichi (logo: Kichi, Isekane [吉 伊勢兼]).
The print belongs to the series "Actors Paired with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune" (Ekyōdai mitate shichifuku - 絵兄弟見立七福).
Depicted is the actor Nakamura Fukusuke I in the role of Nuregami Chōgorō (neither actor nor role are named but identifiable). The god is Daikoku (大黒).
Horst

Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Chris Wed, Jun 15, 2022

Dear Horst,

Thank you for taking the time to provide the detailed explanation and transcription, both which are warmly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: I.Nagy Tue, Jun 14, 2022

繪兄弟見立七福 - E-kyōdai mitate Shichifuku - Parodies of Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Matching Pictures
Name cartouche,
豊國画 - Toyokuni-ga - Painted by Toyokuni
Censor`s seal,
改 - Aratame - Approved
辰七 - Tatsu shichi - Dragon 7 - 7th Month of the (Fire)-Dragon Year (1856)
Publisher,
吉 伊勢兼 - Kichi Isekane - (伊勢屋兼吉) Iseya Kanekichi

According to the literature actor 1st gen.Nakamura Fukusuke is depicted here as Daikoku in the role of Nuregami Chōgorō

On th left in the circle Dakoku (one of the Seven Gods of Fortune) is depicted holding a mallet in his right hand while standing on two bales of rice.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: Assistance requested with narrative/story in Toyokuni III woodblock
Posted By: Chris Wed, Jun 15, 2022

Thank you I. Nagy once again for the detailed translation and wonderful information, both for which I am extremely grateful.

You all have not only helped me better appreciate this print, but have given me a reason to dive a little into Japanese mythology, and in particular, the syncretic blend Buddhist and Shinto deities.

Kind Regards,
Chris


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