Exceptionally Rare Complete Printing Block Set for Ichikawa Ebizo as Takemura Sadanoshin
By ukiyo-e artist Sharuku
Produced by Kyoto Hanga-in 

This Complete Set - This is an extremely rare, complete set of carved blocks for a fine reprint of a classic ukiyo-e actor portrait by Sharaku. The set comprises the complete four cherry wood blocks and a single Kyoto Hanga-in print made from the blocks. Three of the blocks are double-sided and one is carved on a single side. One block is carved with images for two separate colors one side of the block. A total of seven colors were used to produce this image. The keyblock features all the outlines in the design, which were printed in dark gray rather than black as is most common, carved with incredible precision and fine line work. Pigments remain on the blocks, including black, two grays, peach, red, blue-green, and ochre. Paper remnants of the hanshita or preparatory drawing are still glued to some of the blocks. The colors were registered by aligning each print along an L-shaped kento mark on the lower left corner of each separate image. 

This set of blocks is a fascinating, rare artifact from the recent past. Serious collectors often ask about block sets. They are almost never seen on the market. Once in awhile a single block from a broken set is sold for a high price. We have never seen a complete set - apparently still usable. A once in a lifetime opportunity for a serious collector to add a block set to a collection.

Kyoto Hanga-in - Founded in 1935, Kyoto Hanga-in produced high quality reprints of works by classic ukiyo-e artists like Hiroshige, Hokusai, Harunobu, Utamaro, and Sharaku, along with shin-hanga prints by artists such as Tsuchiya Koitsu, Bakufu Ohno, and Gihachiro Okuyama. The blocks have been unused and in storage for decades. The reprint includes the Kyoto Hanga-in publisher's mark on the reverse, along with the red circular personal seal of the owner, Kiyoomi Shinagawa. Printing blocks are rarely seen on the market, and even more rarely found as complete sets for a single image. These intricately carved blocks offer a wonderful look at the incredible skill and complexity involved in creating a Japanese woodblock print. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity! 

Publisher - Kyoto Hanga-in
Artist - Sharaku (active 1794 - 1795)
Size - Print 15" x 10" + margins as shown; each block approximately 17 1/8" x 10 5/8" x 3/4" to 1" thick
Condition - Print: With excellent color and detail as shown. Treated with mica on the gray background. A few light creases at edges. Blocks: Worn, pigment remaining, some paper remnants from the hanshita (preparatory sketches glued to the blocks before carving). The uncarved side of one block has a small piece missing from the corner and a few splits in the wood (does not affect image on reverse side of block). Writing on edge of blocks along with a paper label. Please see photos for details.