Antique Woodblock Print Triptych Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni Iii), 1858, Framed

Details

Description

Original Japanese Woodblock Print Triptych – Mitsuuji Playing Near the Coast, Number Two
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), 1786–1865
Date: … Read more Original Japanese Woodblock Print Triptych – Mitsuuji Playing Near the Coast, Number Two
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), 1786–1865
Date: June 1858
Medium: Woodblock print (triptych)
Image Size: 13 1/2” x 28 1/2”
Framed Size: 33 1/2” (L) x 20 3/4” (H) x 1” (D)
Presentation: Gilt frame with red matting

Description:
This exquisite woodblock print triptych by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), titled Mitsuuji Playing Near the Coast, Number Two, is a vivid and finely detailed example of late Edo-period ukiyo-e art. Dated June 1858, it presents a harmonious blend of aristocratic leisure and coastal labor in a striking composition.

In the central panel, the "Shining Prince" Mitsuuji—Kunisada’s interpretation of the iconic Genji figure—sits aboard a pleasure boat, smiling as he holds a cup of sake. A tray of refreshments behind him reinforces the relaxed, festive tone of the scene.

The right panel features a woman diver (ama) underwater, prying an abalone shell from a rock while fish swim nearby—an evocative portrayal of the physical grace and labor of traditional shell-gatherers.

The left panel depicts another diver handing a shell to women aboard a boat, one of whom combs her wet hair—a moment of camaraderie and realism that enriches the overall narrative.

Features:

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), a master of ukiyo-e known for vibrant, expressive scenes of everyday and theatrical life.
Title: Mitsuuji Playing Near the Coast, Number Two
Date: June 1858
Medium: Traditional woodblock print on paper (triptych format)
Style: Ukiyo-e — known for colorful, narrative-rich depictions of Japanese life and legends.
Subject Matter: A coastal leisure scene featuring Prince Genji (Mitsuuji) and female abalone divers (ama), combining elegance, labor, and natural beauty.
Condition: Excellent detail and color, framed and well-preserved with only minor signs of age consistent with its history.
Framing: Professionally mounted in a gilt frame with red matting, complementing the rich tones of the print.
Framed Dimensions: 33 1/4” (length) x 20 1/4” (height) x 1” (depth)
Historical Context:
Created during the culturally rich late Edo period, this print exemplifies Kunisada’s gift for storytelling and composition. It captures both the elegance of noble leisure and the industrious spirit of coastal women divers. As a rare and dynamic piece, it offers collectors a glimpse into 19th-century Japanese aesthetics and society.

About the artist

Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III, was born in the Honjo district of Edo as Kunisada Tsunoda. Kunisada’s family owned a small hereditary ferryboat service. Though his father, an amateur poet, died when Kunisada was a child, the family business provided some financial security. During his childhood, he showed considerable promise in painting and drawing. Due to strong familial ties with literary and theatrical circles, he spent time studying actor portraits.

At age 14, he was admitted to study under Toyokuni, head of the Utagawa school. Kunisada’s woodblock print work embodies the characteristics of the Utagawa school, focusing on traditional subjects such as kabuki, bijin (beautiful women), shunga (erotic prints), and historical prints. His first known print dates to 1807, his first illustrated book to 1808. Kunisada’s art career took off from the beginning. Many of his works became overnight successes and he was considered the “star attraction” of the Utagawa school. He signed his works “Kunisada,” sometimes with the studio names of Gototei and Kochoro affixed. In 1844, he adopted the name of his teacher and became Toyokuni III. Kunisada passed away in 1864 in the same neighborhood that he was born. He was 70 years old. Kunisada was a highly popular, and the most active, ukiyo-e print artist of the 19th century. In his time, his reputation surpassed those of his contemporaries Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi. See less