| Artist | Natori SHUNSEN (1886-1960) |
| Title | "Bando Mitsugoro as Farmer Manbei" (**) |
| Date | 1927 (First Edition, 150 prints.) |
| Provenance | Consigned by a discriminating eastcoast USA collector. |
| Series | "Collection of Shunsen Portraits" ("Shunsen Nigao-e Shu") (Aka: "Thirty-six Kabuki Actors Portraits," 1925-29) |
| Publisher | Watanabe Shozaburo |
| Seal, Carver/Printer | Black recangular "Watanabe-ko" seal (used only for Shunsen prints mid-late 1920's). Red ovoid "Natori" approval seal lower/right margin. |
| Image Size | 10 x 14 7/84 |
| Impression | Very Fine. Superbly executed "bokashi" shading; light "gauffrage" (embossing) to bamboo leaves and kimono's pattern; highly detailed carving, crisp "key-lines." |
| Condition | Nearly Excellent. Excellent colors. Clean front and verso. (Couple slight surface scratches--otherwise flawless.) No prior mounts. |
| Reference/Illus | Blair's 1930 "Toldedo Exhibition" pl. #151. |
| Comments | A striking print--from Shunsen's first series, "Thirty-six Kabuki Actors Portraits" (1925-29), which Watanabe lavishly produced in a limited edition of 150 prints sold only by subscription. (Unusual "Watanabe-ko" seal used only 1925-29.) |
| Item # | MM-17 |
| Price | Special $720 (Reg $900) |