block print

Utagawa Toyokuni                Actor Iwai Hanshiro                                     c.1810
Portrait of onnagata actor.  Both artist and actors have various generations which would impact dating. Artist here should be Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769–1825) and actor most likely to be Iwai Hanshiro V (info here), which would date the print to c. 1810. I can’tquite make out all the characters to identify the role which is listed on the right.

identification, notes M Redfern

Medium Size — Typical size for a medium type is 11.5" x 13.5" Square Size — Typical sizes for a square type are 14.5" x 13.5"

Light Ground Composition — in a light ground stencil, the field is light with lines and forms of the pattern crafted from dark paper.

No Reinforcement — this stencil has no reinforcement.

Subject — culture