Utagawa Kunisada II (Toyokuni IV). Actor Ichikawa Danzō VI and a Geisha with a Pocket Watch / Preparatory drawing for a fan print, c. 1870

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada II [歌川国貞] Japanese, 1823 – 1880) a.k.a. Toyokuni IV.

Signature: Toyokuni hitsu [豊国筆]

Media/Technique: Preparatory drawing (shita-e) for a fan print (uchiwa-e), brush and ink with light pigment on ‘India’ paper, unbacked, 253 x 320 mm

Date: c. 1870

Actor: Ichikawa Danzō VI [市川團蔵] (Japanese, 1800 – 1871); other names: Ichikawa Kuzō II, Ichikawa Hakuzō I, Ichikawa Momotarō I, Ichikawa Sanzō I, Ichikawa Teruyo I; Poetry names: San'en, Dan'en.

Half-length portrait of a kabuki actor and a courtesan. The actor, identified by facial features as Ichikawa Danzō VI (市川團蔵, 1800–1871), is holding a military standard (uma-jirushi, 馬印) — a rigid emblem used by commanders in premodern Japan to signify clan affiliation or military authority on the battlefield.

The courtesan stands at his left, richly dressed in layered robes decorated with floral motifs and celestial cloud patterns (kumo, 雲). Her elaborately arranged coiffure features multiple hair ornaments (kanzashi, 簪) and large combs (kushi, 櫛). She holds a Western-style pocket watch with a chain in her left hand, possibly symbolizing that their time is over.

The background is filled with an abstract geometrical motif, resembling fragmented or stylized shōji (障子, paper screens). A red ink inscription in the top centre is present but treated as illegible.

Another print from this series [SVJP-0488.2025].

[Thank to Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project].