Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as the demonic thief Orochimaru, 1862, 12th lunar month, Utagawa Kunisada; Publisher: Hiranoya Shinz, Japanese, 1786 - 1865, 14 1/2 × 9 9/16 in. (36.83 × 24.29 cm) (image, vertical ban), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 19th century, Toyokuni's Drawings: A Magic Contest features kabuki actors juxtaposed to people, good or evil, that have supernatural powers. The motifs derive from popular legends, kabuki plays, or adventure novels that were well-liked in the mid-19th century. As this series was one-of-a-kind each print was published on thick paper with expensive pigments and special printing features like embossing and lacquer printing.
Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as the demonic thief Orochimaru, 1862, 12th lunar month, Utagawa Kunisada; Publisher: Hiranoya Shinz, Japanese, 1786 - 1865, 14 1/2 × 9 9/16 in. (36.83 × 24.29 cm) (image, vertical ban), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 19th century, Toyokuni's Drawings: A Magic Contest features kabuki actors juxtaposed to people, good or evil, that have supernatural powers. The motifs derive from popular legends, kabuki plays, or adventure novels that were well-liked in the mid-19th century. As this series was one-of-a-kind each print was published on thick paper with expensive pigments and special printing features like embossing and lacquer printing.