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Japanese Woodblock Print: "Tadanori" by Tsukioka Kōgyo

Tsukioka Kogyo woodblock print of Noh actor in Tadanori role, blue butterfly robe, holding bow, foxed paper condition - view 1
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Estimated value

$75 - $175

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Era

Meiji Period (1897–1902)

Origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Artist / Creator

Tsukioka Kōgyo

Authenticity

Very High(90%)
27

JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT: "TADANORI" BY TSUKIOKA KŌGYO: ORIGINS & SIGNIFICANCE

A framed Japanese woodblock print (woodcut) from the celebrated series "Nōgaku Zue" (Pictures of Noh Performances). The image depicts the principal actor (shite) in the Noh play "Tadanori" (忠度). The figure is dressed in the magnificent attire of a Heian-period warrior-courtier, wearing a tall black court cap (eboshi) and a blue kara-ori robe elaborately patterned with butterflies. He holds a bow in his hand, and visible behind his shoulder is the top of a quiver, likely carrying the signature cherry blossom branch associated with this character's lore. To the left, a separate panel illustrates a misty cherry tree, setting the scene at Suma where the play takes place. The work is a diptych or double-page album leaf that has been mounted flat. The distinct calligraphic text on the right margin provides a synopsis of the play.

GRAPHIC ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Victorian IllustrationLate 19th Century

Contemporaneous Western documentation of theater and costume via lithography

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Noh Theater performance
  • •Memorial services for the Taira clan spirits

Meaning Through Time

Heian Period

Tadanori as a literal warrior-poet

Meiji Period

Tadanori as a symbol of 'Bushido' and cultural heritage during Japan's modernization

PRINT LINEAGE

Created during the Meiji period (circa 1897–1902), this print is part of a massive effort by the artist Tsukioka Kōgyo to document the Noh theater tradition, which was experiencing a revival after a period of decline. The subject, Taira no Tadanori, was a tragic warrior-poet of the Taira clan ...
Created during the Meiji period (circa 1897–1902), this print is part of a massive effort by the artist Tsukioka Kōgyo to document the Noh theater tradition, which was experiencing a revival after a period of decline. The subject, Taira no Tadanori, was a tragic warrior-poet of the Taira clan killed during the Genpei War. In the Noh play, his ghost returns to request that a poem he wrote be credited to him in the imperial anthology. Kōgyo's work is unique for focusing almost exclusively on Noh theater, serving as both art and a visual record of stage costumes and postures of the era.

PRESS SECRETS

1

Tsukioka Kōgyo was the stepson of the famous eccentric artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, but unlike his violent/dynamic stepfather, Kōgyo dedicated his life to the quiet, subtle art of Noh.

2

The character Tadanori is famous for carrying a poem card attached to a cherry branch in his quiver so his body could be identified if he was killed in battle—a poignant detail often preserved in Noh costumes.

HOW SCARCE IS IT?

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Correct series title and artist signature for the period
  • Paper aging and foxing consistent with 120+ year old paper
  • Kogyo prints are not commonly forged compared to Hokusai/Hiroshige
How does authenticity detection work?

PRINT SPECIALIST'S TAKE

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

The text on the print is legible and explicitly names the play, series, and artist. The style is unmistakably Tsukioka Kōgyo. The only variable is the exact edition, but the attribution is solid.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Series title 'Nōgaku Zue' (能樂圖繪) visible at top center confirms the specific publication (1897–1902).
  • 2Artist signature 'Kōgyo' (耕漁) and seal in bottom right.
  • 3Title 'Tadanori' (忠度) in the right margin text block identifies the specific play and character.
  • 4Distinctive 'shansui' (landscape) panel on the left combined with the figure on the right indicates an album leaf format.
  • 5Character costume (bow, court cap, butterfly motif) matches standard Noh iconography for Tadanori.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Heavy foxing may obscure finer details of the face.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Examine the paper surface without glass to check for mica (metallic powder) often used by Kogyo in backgrounds.
  • →Check the central seam to confirm if it is a joined diptych from an accordion book.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

The print shows significant foxing (age-related oxidation spots) throughout the paper, particularly in the negative space and on the figure's face. The colors of the robe remain relatively distinct, though the paper has toned with age. It appears to be a double-page album leaf that has been joined or mounted as a single continuous image.

Surface

Matte washi paper with visible texture; colors are flat and opaque (typical of woodblock pigments). Significant, widespread foxing (brown oxidation spots) is visible across the white background and the figure's face.

Weight & feel

Lightweight paper album leaf, framed weight approx 1-1.5kg

PRINT MARKET VALUATION

$75 - $175

Updated: Mar 7, 2026

  • Market comparables from auctions & retail
  • Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
  • Current collector demand & trends
  • Low = quick sale, high = patient seller

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User origin 'Japan' confirmed by style, text, and artist (Tsukioka Kōgyo).
  • User belief 'Original/Authentic' is supported by paper aging characteristics and print quality.
  • User note 'Minor wear' aligns generally, though I would classify the foxing as a specific condition issue beyond simple wear.

FROM THE CABINET OF

EW

ewon1
Wonderseeker•5 items

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