Kunimaru

Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge

Kunimaru's original woodcut, "Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge" is one of his most remarkable Japanese woodcuts. In this view, Kunimaru has depicted the many stalls and activities in the foreground. The famous bridge is seen at full length leading across the river to the far bank and its buildings. Fireworks illuminate the night sky. This is a most charming, scarce woodcut in the perspective-print style.

Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge

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Title:	Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge
Artist:	Kunimaru (Japan, 1794 - 1829)
Date:	c. 1820
Medium:	Original Japanese Woodcut
Note:	Kunimaru: The Utagawa school was founded by the great late eighteenth century woodcut artist, Toyokuni (1769-1825). This school of art would dominate the development of the Japanese woodcut throughout the entire nineteenth century, producing such influential designers as Toyokuni II, Kunimaru, Kunisada, Kuniyoshi and finally, Yoshitoshi. Born the son of a pawnbroker in the capital city of Edo, Kunimaru first followed in his master's footsteps, producing full length woodcuts of actors and beautiful women (called, 'bijin-ga'). By the end of his short life he had gained a strong reputation and became a master in his own right, teaching such artists as Shigemaru, Toshimaru and Teruhito.
	Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge is quite possibly Kunimaru's most remarkable work of art. The annual fireworks at this famous bridge had been depicted by many other artists such as Toyokuni and Toyohisa. Yet what makes this original woodcut so valuable is that it is one of the first examples in Japanese art of that rare creation termed, 'perspective-print style'. Historically, Japan was almost a completely closed society until the mid 1860's. Commerce with the outside world was closely restricted to the ports of Nagasaki and Yokohama, and the few Dutch and Chinese merchants that resided there were secluded. Western art was as alien to Japan as the customs and dress of the foreigners. Only a handful of Dutch old master engravings and etchings made it into the hands of curious Japanese artists.
	Perhaps the greatest difference between the development of European art and that of Japanese art lies in the use of perspective. Classic Japanese art deliberately flattens distance and space to strengthen design elements. When the Japanese woodcut was introduced to the West it had an immediate and profound impact upon the art of Van Gogh, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec and many others. Similar elements occurred when Japanese artists were confronted with Western art, and Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge is one of the earliest examples of a Japanese artist attempting to render perspective and distance.
	In this wonderful view, Kunimaru has depicted the many stalls and activities in the foreground. The famous bridge is seen at full length leading across the river to the far bank and its buildings. Fireworks illuminate the night sky. This is a most charming, scarce woodcut in the perspective-print style.
Size:	Oban (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Framed and Matted with 100% Archival Materials
	View larger Framed Image

Condition:	Printed upon early nineteenth century Japanese mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins as published around 1820. Signs of rubbing exist (particularly in the foreground) else a finely printed impression retaining its full colouration. As mentioned earlier, Fireworks at Ryogoku Bridge is a scarce and early woodcut and represents a very important example of the art of Kunimaru.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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