Taiheiki prints research
Anatomy of the woodblock print
Text: The biographical text occupies the upper portion of each print. The text was written by Ryukatei Tanekazu (1807-58) a well known Kodanshi (professional story teller) and student of Ryutei Tanehiko (1783-1842).
Series title: Within the gourde shaped cartouche in the top right hand corner, occasionally in the left hand corner, is the series title and is the same on all prints. The gourd shape was adopted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as his personal war standard – suggesting the series relates in some way to him.
Print title (subjects name): Alongside the series title, in large characters, is the subjects name.
Text author: Following each text block is the words ikka ryakuden (brief biography of the family) and the signature of Ryukatei Tanekazu. (recorded by Ryukatei Tanekazu)
Artist’s signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga (ga means artist) appears on the mid to lower half of each print on either the right or left.
Artist’s seal: Kuniyoshi used a Kiri seal, a variation of the leaf of the Paulowina imperialis (kiri) tree appearing on the Japanese imperial crest, as his personal badge and that of his school for a while. These changed throughout his career.
Print number: The print number (if numbered) usually appears near the publishers seal. It is said this series was published in a numbered and unnumbered state but I am not convinced an entire set exists as un-numbered or numbered (i.e. I dont believe or have not seen print 13 with a number ever, also need to explore prints 1,11,19,and 44).
Censors’ seals: During the period of this series, two censors seals were required to approve the image with the exception of the first print published – which happened to be the final print in the set – Nakaura Sarukichiro Hisayoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) print no. 50. Because this print was published in 1846 it only required a single seal. Refer examples below.
Publisher’s seal: The trade mark and name of the publisher Yamamoto Heikichi which was the notable publishing house Eikyudo.
