Antique Japanese Woodblock 1854 Framed 22.5x 17.5

Hiroshige & Toyokuni III (act. c. 1853 - 1858) Series: The 53 Stations by Two Brushes Medium: Woodblock Print Date: 1854 Print Size (H x W): 14.5 x 10 (inches) Seals: Aratame and Year censor seals Signature: Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga Condition: Very good color and state, good impression, visible woodgrain. Acid free conservation framing UV filter glass During the mid-19th century, ukiyo-e artists Hiroshige and Toyokuni III (aka Kunisada) collaborated on as many as eight series. In each, the designs highlight the specialty of each master artist—Hiroshige's poetry of landscape and Toyokuni III's spirit of the Kabuki stage. Some sources suggest that the collaborative format served as a loophole in increasingly stringent government censorship—By releasing the series within the landscape genre, Toyokuni III could sidestep the edicts against Kabuki actor prints. Others suggest that these designs allowed artistic schools to capitalize on popular artists and provide new print formats for an eager Edo-period audience. After Hiroshige's death, Toyokuni III carried on the collaborative spirit with Hiroshige II. The series The 53 Stations by Two Brushes (Sohitsu gojusan tsugi no uchi) is one example of Hiroshige and Toyokuni III's collaboration. Published by Maruya Kyushiro between 1854 and 1857, the series plays on the popular theme of the Tokaido Road, the artery of Edo-period culture that connected the feudal capital of Edo and the imperial capital of Kyoto. Each design comes to life with Kabuki allusions, familiar legends, and local spirit through two talented brushes—Toyokuni III designed the foreground, capturing the figures in each composition, while Hiroshige completed the landscape in the background (with the exception of "Eijiri," where the landscape in in the foreground). Each print is signed by both artists. Selling as is, as found in the estate. Please see ALL photos for content, condition, and dimensions. As always - NEVER A BUYER'S PREMIUM - NO CREDIT CARD FEES - All items start at $10 and are being auctioned with NO RESERVES to the high bidder.