Woodblock printed triptych of Kabuki actors playing parts of the Chiarini Circus by Kunimasa
[Japan] An impressive triptych showing members of a kabuki troupe playing the roles of members of Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus. The impact the circus had on Japan is clear because such woodblock prints were produced. It is difficult to know how Onoe Kikujiro managed to play an acrobat with one leg (!) and one can assume there was not an actual perfoming horse on stage for the kabuki performance. Still, this is a wonderful work and the first time we have managed to find it.
Nihonbashi [Tokyo]. Fukuda Kumajiro. November 1886.
Each panel approx. 36 x 25.5cm.
In very good condition. Some minor age wear and marks. Some minor red discolouration to left panel. Unbacked with nice bleedthrough. u37021820
