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TOYOKUNI, Utagawa (1769 - 1825)		The actor, Ichikawa Danjuro II as Soga no Goro
ref. no.: CD 1 028		Signed:                        ko Toyokuni hitsu Date:                            c. 1830 Size:                             c. 19.7 x 18.1 cms  (shikishiban surimono) Condition: Fine impression, colors and condition. With areas of lacquer printing.

This is one of the best designs from a series of eight surimono depicting the eight generations of the Danjuro family. It is entitled: Nidaime dai hakuen Danjuro, 'The Second Great Hakuen Danjuro', and shows the actor, Ichikawa Danjuro II (1686 - 1757) in the role of Soga no Goro, in the play, Yanone. A role he created in 1729. The kyoka poem above is by Rokujuen (leader of the Gogawa-Club who first published the first seven prints of this set in c. 1820). This set had been subject to extensive discussions about the date of its first publication and authorship. What we can definitely say now, is that the present copy of the surimono is from the second edition of c. 1830 when a design depicting Danjuro VIII, created by Toyokuni II, was added and the complete set of now eight prints was reissued. The impressions of both editions are identical in respect to the printing quality. Differences can be seen in the borders: the first edition shows the crest of the Gogawa-Club, an hour-glass form, which is missing in the later edition, and in the signature where the word ko ('the late') precedes Toyokuni's name.

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