Woodblock Printed Triptych of the Morita-za Theatre in Tokyo by Utagawa Kuniteru II
[Japan] Superb woodblock printed triptych showing the Morita-za theatre in Tokyo. The Morita-za was one of the major Kabuki theaters in Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo era and into the beginning of the 20th century. It was run by the Morita family of actors until it was destroyed with much of Tokyo in the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. The Morita-za was first built by Morita Tarōbei I and his son Morita Tashichi in 1660, in Edo's Kobiki-chō district. The theatre burned down just a few months later, and many more times over the years, but was always rebuilt (until 1923). The theatre was moved to Shintomi-chō and rebuilt in 1872 with new features, such as indoor toilets and a seating section for foreigners. A few years later, in 1875, the theatre was renamed Shintomi-za, after the district. This print dates from that move to the theatre's new premises.
Tokyo. Tsutaya Kichizō. July 1872.
Each panel approx. 36.1 x 24.3cm.
In about fine condition. A couple of small worm trail repairs at top but otherwise fine. Colours still vibrant. Unbacked with nice bleedthrough. u36051619
