Utagawa Toyokuni II, Kabuki Theatre Scene, Original Woodblock Print, Circa 1810

Kabuki Theatre Scene is a color woodblock print on paper, realized by Utagawa Toyokuni II around 1810 ca. This lovely ukiyo-e print depicts a kneeling actress, more precisely a geisha, wearing a precious and richly decorated kimono, during a theatrical performance in the Japanese theatre called Kabuki. It is particular to notice the theatrical setting reproducing a flowering trees, likely a flowering cherry trees. With printed inscription in Japanese ideograms and in cartouches at the margins. In very good to excellent condition, except for usual aging signs (abrasion on edges) and little discolorations, this superb original Japanese print could furnish your house with an elegant Oriental touch! Provenance: Property from a German private collection, assembled between the 1950s and 2000. Utagawa Toyokuni II (1777–1835), also known as Toyoshige, was a designer of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints in Japan. Pupil, son-in-law and adopted son of the master , Toyokuni I., he will heritage the Toyokuni name after his teacher's death in 1826 ( before he was called Toyoshige (豊重 ) The signature of Toyokuni II is easiest to distinguish by the chalice-shaped toyo (豊).