Utagawa Kunisada I 歌川国貞 also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III 三代歌川豊国(JAPAN, 1786-1864) The magician Jiraiya standing on his giant toad, from the theater play Jiraiya Gôketsu Monogatari, with actors Arashi Rikan III as Takasago Yuminosuke (R), Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Jiraiya (C) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as the Bewitching Beauty (Yôfu) Koshiji (L) A triptych of oban tata-e woodblock prints Dimensions (the triptych): 75,7 x 36,4 cm Provenance: A large collection of 100+ Japanese woodblock prints, properties from a French collector. Notes: Utagawa Kunisada was the most popular, prolific and commercially successful designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th-century Japan. In his own time, his reputation far exceeded that of his contemporaries, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi. 2. Compare with a related print preserved in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) of Boston, USA, under accession number 11.43975a-c. Click HERE to see the related print. NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.