Osaka Prints - Produced in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, Osaka prints or kamigata-e are instantly distinguishable from typical Edo ukiyo-e. A major difference is the choice of subject matter. Osaka prints were nearly always portraits of actors or kabuki scenes. In contrast, Edo print subjects included beauties, landscapes, nature scenes, warriors, and historic events, in addition to kabuki.

Distinctly different artistic styles also emerged in Edo and Osaka in the 18th and 19th century, resulting in certain recognizable characteristics for each area. Osaka prints feature more subtle, serious figures, reflecting the wagoto or soft style of acting prevalent in the area, along with distinctive facial expressions. The aragato or brash manner of acting popular in Edo influenced print designs towards bolder images of heroism and military prowess.

Much like the style of the prints, the demand for ukiyo-e in the cities of Osaka and Edo also varied. Osaka produced far fewer ukiyo-e designs than Edo did. As a consequence, Osaka prints are rarer and also some of the highest quality prints made in the 19th century, with many featuring deluxe techniques such as burnishing or embossing. Osaka prints are a rare and wonderful collecting area of Japanese woodblocks.

Imoseyama Onna Teikin - Handsome design from Yoshitaki's series illustrating the acts from the kabuki play "Imoseyama Onna Teikin." It relates the story of the handsome young samurai Koganosuke and the beauty Hinadori, who meet and fall in love while he is hunting, unaware that their families are bitter enemies even though their estates are across the river from each other. The complicated plot also includes an attempted coup by the evil minister Soga no Emiji and his son, Soga no Iruka, to overthrow the emperor Tenchi, along with a love triangle between Princess Tachibana, Motome, and Omiwa. Each image portrays a scene from the play, with expressive figures and well-detailed settings, framed by a dark blue and white geometric print border. Beautifully drawn and detailed with vibrant color, these woodblocks are full oban, a rare format for Osaka kabuki prints, which are mainly chuban size. A great choice for a collector of kamigata-e or kabuki subjects.

Artist - Yoshitaki (1841 - 1899)

Image Size - 14" x 9 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Light vertical centerfold. A couple wormholes, repaired. A couple prints have a few small spots. Please see photos for details. Generally in good condition overall.