previous page

view drawing

Torii KIYOMITSU II (= Kiyomine, 1787-1868) - fifth in the line of the Torii family -		- The actor Ichikawa Danjûrô in the role of a warior -
		Preparatory ink drawing; sumi (black ink) on thin paper, plus the finished print, - a page from the illustrated book. Signed:             go-daime Torii Kiyomitsu hitsu                                (-'fifth in the line of the Torii, - drawn by Kiyomitsu'-) Date:                c. mid-19th century (the signed drawing) Size:                 c. 19.5 x 18 cms / c. 7 1/2" x 7", the drawing                          c. 27 x 19.5 cms / c. 10 1/2" x 7 1/2", the woodblock print Condition:  MINT. The drawing is backed. - VERY RARE! - ref. no.: # 743051 Price:     € 1,500.00 (for the lot)

The preparatory drawing ('shita-e'), - above left -, by Torii Kiyomitsu II was designed for an illustrated book of Kabuki actors. The design is a re-edition of an extremely rare, illustrated book by Torii Kiyonobu I (1664 - 1729), Fûryû Yomo Byôbu ('Fashionable Folding Screens of the Four Quarters'), published in the year 1700 (- see picture at right -) depicting famous kabuki actors in their popular roles. - While Kiyomitsu's original preparatory drawing dates from the mid-19th century, the print which comes with the drawing is from a later edition of the book, published by Beizandô. The depicted actor is Ichikawa Danjûrô, - his name and actor's crest are shown in the print. Torii Kiyomitsu II (1787-1868) was an Ukiyo-e painter and printmaker, grandson of Torii Kiyomitsu (I), and fifth in the Torii line. He lived and worked in Edo and was a pupil of Torii Kiyonage (1762-1815). As a young man he made prints under the go of Kiyomine. His subjects chiefly were bijin, actors and scenes from kabuki plays. Related reference: - Jack Hillier, The Art of the Japanese Book, Sotheby's Publications, London, 1987; vol. I, chapter 10: "Torii Kiyonobu and the Kabuki Theatre" - Royal Accademy of Arts, The Dawn of the Floating World; exhibition: London, 2002; cat. p.106-107 (ill. p. 106: see picture at right).    Quote, p. 107: "This is the most important early printed picture book of kabuki actors, fundamental to the establishment by Kiyonobu I of the Torii school and style."

   previous page                                                                 view drawing