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Actors in a confrontation by a river from a contemporary drama. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

A courtly young man grapples with an assailant: his woman companion reacts with shock as she hides her face (Chapter 46, beneath the oak, from the 'Tale of genji'). Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Prince Genji and a girl by a garden pond at night, standing next to a flare burning on a stand. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Courtesan Mori Murasaki of the brothel Kimpei Daikoku in the New Yoshiwara (licensed quarters), slides open a screen and looks at her child attendant. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1870.

Japanese masks: six masks of characters in Noh plays, including two representing a dog and a demon, with an old man shown on the right. Colour woodcut with pop-up flaps on strings, 1860/1920?.

A child attendant for a courtesan in a brothel holds a western watch and looks towards the client. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1870.

Scene from the fable of Momotaro (Peach child): the woodcutter's wife finds the peach in the river. Colour woodcut attributed to Kunisada II, 1850/1870 (?).

A samurai on horseback with his retainers ready to launch themselves into a fight; with a snowy urban scene behind. Colour woodcut by Kunimasa III, 1847/1850.

Three actors in a scene from a contemporary drama. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Actors in role: mayhem as a woman travelling in a sedan chair is attacked by women warriors. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1860.

An elegant, Gunji-like figure, punting a boat through water-lilies: a woman and child in the boat look at the blossoms. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1860.

Two attendants are warming sake on a fire of autumn leaves; a woman stands like an apparition between them, holding the sake bottle. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Yamabushi (warrior priests) with hostages, feasting. Colour woodcut by Kunimasa II, 1849.

Actors as guests at an inn looking into the central courtyard, where a female role actor plays a low-ranking courtesan. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1866.

Actors in scenes from the play 'A treasury of loyal retainers' by Chushingura. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1856.

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Utagawa Kunisada II

Images from the collections

Images by Utagawa Kunisada II

Works from the collections

Yamabushi (warrior priests) with hostages, feasting. Colour woodcut by Kunimasa II, 1849.

Actors as guests at an inn looking into the central courtyard, where a female role actor plays a low-ranking courtesan. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1866.

Actors in a confrontation by a river from a contemporary drama. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Two attendants are warming sake on a fire of autumn leaves; a woman stands like an apparition between them, holding the sake bottle. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Actors in scenes from the play 'A treasury of loyal retainers' by Chushingura. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1856.

Utagawa Kunisada II

Images from the collections

Images by Utagawa Kunisada II

Works from the collections

Yamabushi (warrior priests) with hostages, feasting. Colour woodcut by Kunimasa II, 1849.

Actors as guests at an inn looking into the central courtyard, where a female role actor plays a low-ranking courtesan. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1866.

Actors in a confrontation by a river from a contemporary drama. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Two attendants are warming sake on a fire of autumn leaves; a woman stands like an apparition between them, holding the sake bottle. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1857.

Actors in scenes from the play 'A treasury of loyal retainers' by Chushingura. Colour woodcut by Kunisada II, 1856.

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