Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board

I found this at a tag sale and I thought it was rather unique looking. I don't know the way it is supposed to be hung or read because things are upside down any which way you hold it. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Recognize the artist? I would love to know more about this piece.

The artist might be Okumura Masanobu (18th century)difficult to tell if yours an original print or later copy,
Keith

What you have is a copy of a Japanese woodblock print by Okamura Masanobu. The original was printed circa 1740. It is hung head-up. The subject of the print is the actor Sanokawa Ichimatsu as a puppeteer, holding a puppet representing the courtesan Matsuyama. The kimono is decorated with poetry cards.

I found an original in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. See link below or swipe this URL:

http://www.europeana.eu/portal/record/08502/428CB57E772E442DF345F96E06F5D1EE80926911.html

If this were an original in good shape it would be worth a lot of money.

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :Ichimatsu

This is a modern reproduction of a Japanese woodblock print from the 1740s by the ukiyo-e artist Okumura Masanobu (1686-1764), depicting the kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as a puppet player.

Guy.

Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board