Japanese Woodblock Print: "Tadanori" by Tsukioka Kōgyo
QUICK FACTS
Categories
Era
Meiji Period (1897–1902)
Origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Artist/Maker
Tsukioka Kōgyo
Rarity
Average (4/10)
Discovered
Mar 7, 2026
3 days ago
DESCRIPTION
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.
CULTURAL ECHOES
Where This Object Echoes
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
Tadanori as a literal warrior-poet
Tadanori as a symbol of 'Bushido' and cultural heritage during Japan's modernization
HISTORICAL STORY
DID YOU KNOW?
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.
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.
MATERIAL & CONDITION
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
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.
RARITY ANALYSIS
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
EXPERT ANALYSIS
Asian Art Specialist
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.
ESTIMATED VALUE
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.
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