Kunisada Utagawa (Toyokuni III) Pair: Nakamura Daikichi & Onoe Kikugorō in Sukeroku, c. 1850

This exceptional pair of original Oban-sized woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) was created by Kunisada Utagawa, the most prolific and commercially successful artist of the 19th-century Utagawa school. These works are not merely decorative; they are documented snapshots of the "Golden Age" of Kabuki theater in Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

The Portraits:
• Nakamura Daikichi as Hige no Ikyū: Depicted in a powerful mie pose, Daikichi plays the wealthy, bearded antagonist from the legendary play Sukeroku: Flower of Edo. Note the intricate "demon" patterning on the inner robe, a symbol of his formidable character.

• Onoe Kikugorō as a Kyōkaku: Kikugorō portrays a "Chivalrous Commoner," a folk hero of the Edo period. Shown with a bamboo pole and paper lantern, he represents the defiant spirit of the urban working class.

Authenticity:
Physical inspection confirms these as original strikes. Under magnification, the handmade mulberry (washi) paper fibers are clearly visible, and the organic pigments show the characteristic absorption and slight bleeding into the paper that modern offset prints cannot replicate. Both prints feature the Toshidama seal, dating them to the peak of Kunisada’s career (c. 1845–1855).

Specifications
• Artist: Kunisada Utagawa (Toyokuni III)
• Year Made: circa 1845–1855
• Materials: Sumi ink and color on handmade washi paper, glass, vintage wood frames.
• Dimensions: 20" H x 16" W (Frame size) | 14" x 9.5" (Sheet size)

Condition
Condition: Both prints remain in their vintage mid-century frames. There is visible water staining along the lower margins and light foxing (age spots) consistent with 170-year-old paper. Colors are stable but show an honest antique patina; frames show minor scuffing.