Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)
Tiny ōkubi-e
1850s
3.5 in x 4.5 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
There are two crests clearly shown on each shoulder of this actor's outfit. They represent the matsukawa-bishi (松皮菱) or pine bark motif enclosing a paulownia motif. If we can identify this crest to a particular actor or group or role, we will get closer to identifying this figure.
In a 1929 bulletin from the Art Institute of Chicago they referred to the matsukawa-bishi as the 'pine-river-diamond.'
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
ōkubi-e (大首絵) (genre)