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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:     € 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."

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