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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:     € 2,250.00 (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, 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 1922 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"

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