{"title":"Torii Kiyonobu","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-actor-ichikawa-danjuro-ii-as-soga-no-goro-and-nakamura-takesaburo-i-as-kewaizaka-no-shosho-in-the-play-bando-ichi-kotobuki-soga-torii-kiyonobu-i","title":"The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as Soga no Goro and Nakamura Takesaburo I as Kewaizaka no Shosho in the play Bando Ichi Kotobuki Soga - Torii Kiyonobu I","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic sumizuri-e woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I, depicting a 1715 kabuki performance with bold, expressive line work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print, executed in the sumizuri-e style, depicts a scene from the kabuki play Bando Ichi Kotobuki Soga, performed at the Nakamura Theater in Edo in 1715. The work features the actor Ichikawa Danjuro II in the role of Soga no Goro, positioned alongside Nakamura Takesaburo I, who portrays Kewaizaka no Shosho. The Torii school, founded by Kiyonobu I, held a near-monopoly on the production of theatrical posters and prints during this period, and their house style is clearly visible here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition employs the characteristic bold, sweeping lines associated with the early Ukiyo-e tradition. The figures are rendered with a focus on the dramatic posturing typical of the kabuki stage. The artist uses a monochromatic palette, relying entirely on the strength of the ink line to define form, gesture, and costume. The background is suggested through minimal architectural elements and a hanging wisteria vine, which provides a sense of setting without distracting from the primary subjects. In the background, secondary figures are visible behind a railing, adding depth to the theatrical space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSumizuri-e prints of this era were often hand-coloured by the purchaser, though this example remains in its original monochrome state. The print serves as a record of the specific performance styles and costume designs of the early eighteenth-century Japanese theatre. The emphasis on the actors' physical presence and the stylised nature of their movements reflects the broader aesthetic concerns of the Torii school, which sought to capture the energy of the performance for the urban audience of Edo. The work remains a primary source for the study of early kabuki iconography and the development of the actor print genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/the-actor-segawa-kikunojo-ii-as-the-courtesan-umegae-suzuki-harunobu\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the Courtesan Umegae - Suzuki Harunobu — Suzuki Harunobu\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/mountains-and-rivers-along-the-kisokaido-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Torii Kiyonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981244272975,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981502288207,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981502320975,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981502353743,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981502386511,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981502419279,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981502452047,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981502484815,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981502517583,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981502550351,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981502583119,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981502615887,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Actor-Ichikawa-Danjuro-II-as-Soga-no-Goro-and-Nakamura-Takesaburo-I-as-Kewaizaka-no-Shosho-in-the-play-Bando-Ichi-Kotobuki-Soga_Poster_CompositorV1_1790897794065.jpg?v=1790899728"},{"product_id":"a-professional-buffoon-torii-kiyonobu-i","title":"A Professional Buffoon - Torii Kiyonobu I","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn early eighteenth-century woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I, featuring a professional buffoon in a classic Ukiyo-e style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I belongs to an early period of Ukiyo-e, a genre that captured the urban culture of Edo-period Japan. Kiyonobu I was a founder of the Torii school, which maintained a close association with the Kabuki theatre. His work is characterised by bold, sweeping lines known as 'tan-e' style, which often utilised a limited palette of black ink on paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition depicts a scene of leisure involving a professional buffoon, or 'taikomochi', alongside other figures. The figures are arranged in a flat, graphic manner, typical of early eighteenth-century prints. The artist employs a calligraphic line quality to define the folds of the kimono and the facial expressions of the subjects. The background features a simple screen decorated with maple leaves, providing a sense of setting without the use of complex perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKiyonobu I focused on the theatricality of his subjects, often drawing inspiration from the exaggerated poses and costumes of Kabuki actors. This print reflects the aesthetic values of the time, where the focus remained on the clarity of the silhouette and the rhythmic quality of the ink lines. The lack of colour is intentional, as these early prints were produced primarily as monochrome works, sometimes hand-coloured by the owner or a specialist. The simplicity of the design allows the viewer to focus on the interaction between the figures and the subtle details of their attire. This piece provides a window into the social customs and artistic conventions of the Genroku era, where the theatre and the pleasure districts were central to the cultural life of the city.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/yokkaichi-mie-river-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eYokkaichi: Mie River - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/fifty-three-stations-of-the-tokaido-inspired-by-famous-pictures-kanagawa-utagawa-kunisada\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eFifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō: Inspired by Famous Pictures (Kanagawa) - Utagawa Kunisada — Utagawa Kunisada\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Torii Kiyonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981616222543,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981722718543,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981722751311,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981722784079,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981722816847,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981722849615,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981722882383,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981722915151,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981722947919,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981722980687,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981723013455,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981723046223,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/A-Professional-Buffoon_Poster_CompositorV1_1790899527193.jpg?v=1790901645"},{"product_id":"a-battle-in-mid-stream-torii-kiyonobu-i","title":"A Battle in Mid-Stream - Torii Kiyonobu I","description":"\u003cp\u003eA dynamic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I, depicting a fierce battle between two warriors in a stylised, theatrical manner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu I depicts a dramatic confrontation between two warriors, a genre known as musha-e. Kiyonobu I, the founder of the Torii school, was instrumental in developing the aesthetic of early Ukiyo-e, particularly through his work for the Kabuki theatre. His style is characterised by bold, sweeping lines and a dynamic sense of movement that captures the intensity of theatrical performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition features a mounted warrior wielding a fan, positioned above a second figure struggling in the water. The artist employs a flattened perspective, typical of the period, which allows the viewer to focus on the expressive gestures and the stylised armour of the combatants. The background incorporates a flowering tree, providing a decorative contrast to the violence of the scene. This print is an example of urushi-e, or lacquer print, where hand-applied pigments and sometimes metallic powders were used to add depth and texture to the printed lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKiyonobu I was known for his ability to convey character through exaggerated facial expressions and posture. The figures here possess the distinctive, robust features associated with the Torii school, which drew inspiration from the exaggerated makeup and acting styles of the Genroku era. The print serves as a record of the visual culture of Edo-period Japan, where the boundaries between historical narrative and popular entertainment were fluid. The use of line is decisive and energetic, reflecting the artist's background in sign painting and theatrical advertisement. This work remains a representative example of the early development of the woodblock medium, showing how artists of the time balanced technical constraints with the need for immediate, visual impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/the-actor-segawa-kikunojo-ii-as-the-courtesan-umegae-suzuki-harunobu\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the Courtesan Umegae - Suzuki Harunobu — Suzuki Harunobu\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/mountains-and-rivers-along-the-kisokaido-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Torii Kiyonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981789630799,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981840191823,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58981840224591,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981840257359,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981840290127,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981840322895,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981840355663,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981840388431,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981840421199,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58981840453967,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58981840486735,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58981840519503,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/A-Battle-in-Mid-Stream_Poster_CompositorV1_1790901000350.jpg?v=1790902416"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/sv\/collections\/torii-kiyonobu.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}