Two Recent Prints

[paulb]

Dear All

I am making a habit of finding low cost prints lurking in junk shops. These two cropped up today.

the last time I asked for help I was amazed at the depth of knowledge shared by fellow members and hope I might call on that again for these.

Any ideas regarding the text which I am guessing will lead to who, what and when these were produced,  would be much appreciated

 

[SteveM]

Hello Paul

 

The are both by Utagawa Kunisada, aka Toyokuni III. 

 

They are illustrations of scenes from plays/kabuki. The first one (tobacco smoker) is the middle panel of a triptych, and features a character called Oni Azami Kiyokichi (sorry, I don't know the story). It was done in 1859. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunisada

You can see the triptych here http://ja.ukiyo-e.org/image/waseda/101-4005

 

The second one was done in 1858, and is from a story called Nyōbō O Maki

http://ja.ukiyo-e.org/image/waseda/100-2669

[paulb]

Steve

that is great, many thanks for your help.

I am becoming increasingly interested in this art form but am floundering at the beginning with no clear direction at present. I appreciate your comprehensive response.

Best Regards

Paul

[Baka Gaijin]

The first image is a scene from the Kabuki play entitled Kosode Soga Azami no Ironui, often known as Izayoi Seishin.

 

The courtesan Izayoi falls madly in love with the priest Seishin, with disastrous results including attempted suicide, murder, hara-kiri, theft and numerous plot twists.

[paulb]

thanks Malcolm

sounds so much like our very own "The Archers"