'Saruwakamachi Kaomise' or 'Saruwaka Restaurant Kabuki Performance' from the series 'Thirty-six views of the pride of Edo'
This colorful woodblock print depicts a busy scene at a restaurant.  The description is that Kabuki performers are waiting for their debut stage at Saruwaka Restaurant.  This print is from a collaborative series by Kunisada and Hiroshige II, and it bears their ciphers.  The title boxes include the series name 'Thirty-six Views of the Pride of Edo' and the print's name 'Saruwaka-cho'.  This print was produced in July of 1864, and published by Hiranoya Shinzō .  The carver was Hori Tashichi.  Both Kunisada and Hiroshige II died within a few years of this series, so it is unlikely that the series was reprinted in the later 19th century, so we think this is likely a print of the period.  The print measures 13" x 9", and the frame measures 19" x 15".  It was a late Kunisada series, designed together with Hiroshige II whom designed the landscapes and backgrounds in these prints.  Hiroshige II was the adopted son of the famed Utagawa Hiroshige, who gave his son the name Shigenobu. His son took his father's name upon his death.  It is suggested that Kunisada collaborated on the series to assist in Hiroshige II´s business success.    P9572    $395