Information
Date : 1864
Size : O-ban / Triptych
Impression : Good
Condition : Good
Detail : Slight browning / Small wormholes
Kunichika was a pupil of Chikanobu (周信) and ToyokuniⅢ, and was called as "Sharaku in Meiji".
He was a pioneer of the triptych of actor Ukiyo-e and is one of the most important Ukiyo-e artists who depicted the kabuki actors. Since he left various of kabuki prints, these are also worth in the study field of kabuki play archives.
His character was sometimes described as an odd person, not only from others but also by himself. For instance, he had changed the houses and wives many times. He had changed houses for 117 times. He said. "My painting is not as good as Hokusai's, however, I'm superior to Hokusai in the number of times of moving houses."
He had married with over 40 women, and it had never lasted.
He loves alcohol and women and he spent money wastefully, and there is an episode that he had to borrow the clothes from the publisher for the work of sketching the kabuki actors.
He was also a merciful person, so he couldn't ignore if someone needs help. He sometimes gave something prepared for the guests to someone else.