Posted by Andrew (76.193.19.213) on July 02, 2011 at 04:56:32:
In Reply to: Toyokuni I - bust portrait in profile. posted by Guy Pepermans on July 01, 2011 at 16:51:28:
Hello! The format of the actor print is probably kakuban. Can't see all of the edges of the print in the photo, but the top edge does not look (much) trimmed. Whereas the left edge does look trimmed closer to the image. Most likely scenario is a 21cm x 18cm kakuban trimmed down on the left and right, to 20cm x 14cm. Does that seem plausible based on the overall appearance of the edges?
Looking at the stylistic evolution of the signatures of Toyokuni, I would place this after 1815, but before 1820. Around 1817 - 1818 is the point at which the signature matches best with my prints and photo references.
My guess as to the identity of the actor is Ichikawa Danjuro, because some online references show or mention other Toyokuni portraits of Danjuro paired with Sakuragawa Jihinari poems. That is only a guess, and I also don't know the role being represented.
This print cannot be fully restored, and it would be better to let it be. The way in which the "foxing" has damaged the paper is fairly severe, and there would be no way to, differentially, remove that without damaging the sensitive colors.