60 Ochiai Yoshiiku 1833 – 1904 Theatrical Magazine Kabuki shinpō with an inserted woodblock print

Japan, Tokyo, 1896 (Meiji period)

Original magazine booklet with a cover and an inner color woodblock print (horizontal chūban format). Publisher: Kabuki shinpo sha

This lot presents a rare issue of the period Japanese theatrical magazine Kabuki shinpō (Kabuki News), specifically issue number 1633. The main highlight of this booklet is the original two-page color woodblock print inserted inside, designed by Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833–1904). Yoshiiku, a former pupil of the master Kuniyoshi, designed a series of attractive theatrical prints in an unusual horizontal chūban format for this magazine between 1895 and 1897. The print depicts a dramatic scene featuring two kabuki actors framed by a decorative floral border. An extraordinary historical detail—and proof of its great Czech provenance—are the old pencil inscriptions by a previous owner on the top margin, identifying the actors as the famous masters Kikugorō (left, holding a container) and Danjūrō (right, with a drawn sword). These magazine prints are characterized by careful drawing, expressive faces, and highly vivid colors.