7018 - Japanese Ukiyo-e color woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I, Japan, early 19th century.

Japanese Ukiyo-e color woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I, Japan, early 19th century. Utagawa Toyokuni I, Japan, probably early 19th century / Edo period. Japanese color woodblock print on paper, ukiyo-e, presumably depicting a kabuki or theater scene featuring a standing figure in a richly patterned kimono, with another person or servant figure behind them, and architectural or railing details on the right. Signed lower left / Toyokuni ga, translated as “drawn by Toyokuni.” In the upper left, 隅田川 / Sumida-gawa is legible, meaning “Sumida River”; below that, presumably / Kuwa no watashi, meaning “Kuwa Ferry/Ford” or a reference to a location or scene on the Sumida River. The large calligraphic script on the right appears to be a poem or song lyric; individual characters are recognizable, but due to aging, wear, and glass reflections, they cannot be reliably transcribed in their entirety. On the reverse, there is an older handwritten attribution reading “Toyokuni I 1769–1825” as well as a reference to the publisher Matsu / Matsui, which has not been definitively verified. Dimensions: approx. 48.5 × 38 cm, presumably including the frame. Framed behind glass with a dark mat. Condition significantly impaired due to age, with paper browning, water stains, soiling, creases and fold marks, scuffs, color loss, and overall muted colors. The glass is broken and will not be included with the item.