Pl. XIII The actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII “Contest of magic scenes”, Utagawa Kunisada

Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III, was considered to be the most popular designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th century Japan. It is estimated that he has produced more than 20,000 works during his life time.

Kunisada was not only a brilliant print maker but also an excellent business man who had great commercial success just after he designed his first portraits of kabuki actors in 1808. In his own time, his reputation far exceeded that of his contemporaries, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi.

This print is one the late series by Kunisada. He designed it a few years before his death when he was already in his seventies. This series is of an astonishing vigor and creativity. It is regarded as one of Kunisada's best ukiyo-e series. Kunisada placed kabuki actors, some of them had been the past famous actors, in mystical, fantasyfilled scenes from old tales which are filled with supernatural magic and often strange creatures.

Ready to be framed