<b>SAWAMURA DOJURO AS NARIHIRA REIZO</b> / Natori Shunsen1927<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

Often the most dramatic instances occur in between action sequences. In Kabuki theatre, these types of scenes are accentuated when actors take momentary respites to reflect and pose in a dramatic stance before the consequences of the coming action. In this design we have Natori Shunsen presenting us the actor Sawamura Sojuro as Narihira Reizo. The actor is portrayed with an introspective and downcast appearance. The print’s drama is heightened by the falling snow meandering throughout the design.

Connoisseur's Note

Originally, these Shunsen prints were issued in paper folders that were unfortunately hostile to the prints themselves. These folders were made of low-grade paper containing a high percentage of acidity which over time caused significant damage to the prints. It is commonplace to see this design with various states of toning, particularly evident in the face of the actor. Fortuitously, this print was removed from its folder quite early on and kept in an archival storage container for the vast majority of its life. This impression does not have any toning and the colors are pristine, appearing as they did on the day this print was produced.