Kabuki kumadori.
SHINJURO, Ichikawa. Kabuki kumadori. 12 volumes, 71 of 72 plates. Folio, 330 x 245 mm., loose as issued in original cardboard portfolios with paper labels, in a new chitsu case. Tokyo: Isseisha, 1928.
A spectacular and highly unusual book, consisting of a collection of superb woodblock plates depicting the made-up faces of kabuki actors. Each plate is accompanied by a Japanese text with an abbreviated English translation. Kumadori is stage makeup worn by kabuki actors, particularly when performing in the bold and bombastic aragoto style. The cardboard portfolios are worn, but the contents are fine. Extremely rare, and desirable despite lacking a plate. OCLC lists 3 copies in the U.S., at Harvard, RISD and U. California Davis, and 2 others worldwide.
Item nr. 165254
Price:
$2,750.00