The theatrical prints of the Torii masters

This book was designed to accompany a joint exhibition by the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Riccar Museum of Tokyo.

This book is adding some historical perspective on this genre by focusing on the very earliest prints, those by the various artists in the Torii line. These prints are monochrome or simply-colored illustrations, many kind of sketchy and roughly-rendered (though some have beautifully flowing, almost calligraphic lines), and the principle subject is Kabuki actors, characters, famous scenes, etc. They’re more primitive than the usual Ukiyo-e, and yet thereby have a certain vivid power and charm that their more sophisticated descendents have outgrown for better or worse.

This book includes a list of the theatrical prints with English description.