What is the estimated value of this Utagawa Kunisada Japanese woodblock print?

This authentic Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) woodblock print, 'Shigaya Kofuku' from 1858, has an estimated market value of $200 - $400. This valuation is based on recent auction results for comparable prints by the artist, considering its fair condition due to moderate fading and paper toning. A near-identical impression previously sold for approximately €400 (c. $430).

What era is this 'Shigaya Kofuku' woodblock print from?

This 'Shigaya Kofuku' woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada I is from Japan's Edo Period, specifically dated to the eleventh month of 1858 (Ansei 5). The Edo period (1603-1868) was a significant era for ukiyo-e art, which depicted scenes of urban life, beautiful women (bijin-ga), and kabuki actors for the burgeoning merchant class.

What condition is this Utagawa Kunisada woodblock print in?

The print is in fair condition for its age. Key issues include moderate fading of the original pigments, particularly the blues and greens, significant overall paper toning (yellowing), and visible foxing (spotting). The print is currently framed, obscuring the margins, which prevents a full assessment for potential trimming or hidden repairs that could impact its value.

Where should I sell this Utagawa Kunisada woodblock print?

For this Utagawa Kunisada print, valued at $200-$400, selling through a specialized online auction platform like Catawiki or directly to a dedicated US Japanese print dealer (e.g., Fuji Arts, Ronin Gallery) is recommended. These options avoid the high consignment thresholds of major auction houses and reach a targeted collector base without incurring prohibitive international shipping costs.

Is this Utagawa Kunisada 'Shigaya Kofuku' print authentic?

Yes, this woodblock print is assessed as likely authentic. The identification is strongly supported by the artist's signature ('Toyokuni ga' with the toshidama emblem), the publisher's mark for Ootaya Takichi, and a precise date seal for 1858. Furthermore, near-identical examples of this specific design are well-documented in auction records and specialist dealer archives, corroborating its authenticity as an Edo period piece.

What is the significance of Utagawa Kunisada in ukiyo-e art?

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) was one of the most prolific and commercially successful ukiyo-e artists of the 19th century. He was renowned for his bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) and yakusha-e (kabuki actor prints), capturing the fashionable designs and celebrity culture of Edo-period Japan. His work is a classic example of the collaborative art form, involving artists, carvers, printers, and publishers.

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III, 1786-1865), 'Shigaya Kofuku' (Geisha Ofuku in the Snow), Woodblock Print, 1858

Estimated value: $200 - $400. Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III, 1786-1865), 'Shigaya Kofuku' (Geisha Ofuku in the Snow), Woodblock Print, 1858 (Edo Period, 1858) — a researched valuation with cited comparable sales in Asian Art, from findthevalueof.com.

About this item

This woodblock print is a classic example of ukiyo-e, or 'pictures of the floating world,' the dominant art form of Japan's Edo period (1603-1868). Created for a burgeoning urban merchant class, these prints captured the fleeting pleasures of city life, from famous kabuki actors to celebrated beauties of the pleasure districts. This work comes from the hand of Utagawa Kunisada I, one of the most commercially successful and prolific artists of the 19th century, who was renowned for his theatrical and fashionable designs. The subject is a bijin-ga, or 'picture of a beautiful woman,' depicting the geisha Kofuku of the Shigaya house. Such prints served as the era's celebrity portraits and fashion plates, showcasing the latest trends in kimono patterns and hairstyles. The snowy setting was a popular motif, used to evoke a specific mood and demonstrate the artist's skill in rendering atmosphere. As a collaborative art, this single sheet represents the work of not only the artist Kunisada, but also a skilled wood carver, a printer, and the publisher Ootaya Takichi, all working in concert to produce a vibrant piece of popular culture for the Edo audience.

How the value was reached

The valuation is based on recent auction results for comparable woodblock prints by Utagawa Kunisada. A near-identical impression sold for approximately €400 (c. $430), while another work by the artist sold for $500 at a major auction house. A print catalogued as 'after' the artist realized a lower price of around $180. The subject print's fair condition, particularly the color fading and paper toning, places it within the lower end of the market for the artist's work. Asking prices on retail sites like eBay or 1stDibs are significantly higher but are not reliable indicators of achievable auction value. Based on this range, a reasonable pre-sale auction reserve would be $160. After a typical seller's commission of 10-15%, the net proceeds to the owner would be approximately $170 - $360.

Comparable sales

The item consists of three framed Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints by Utagawa Kunisada, vintage 19th century. They are framed by Beard Frame Shops and include a 1973 gift card for provenance. The size of each woodblock print is 9 5/8" W x 13" H. — sold for US $250.00 (eBay), Active listing
This is a framed Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1865). It is a panel from a diptych depicting kabuki actor Bandô Shûka I as Koshimoto Okaru from the play Kanadehon Chûshingura at the Ichimura Theater. It is signed Kôchôrô Toyokuni ga with censer's seals Hama, Magome, and was published by Yamamotoya Heikichi (Eikyûdô). The print is offered in a gilt frame under glass. — sold for 500 USD (Sotheby's), Listed for immediate sale
UTAGAWA KUNISADA (Toyokuni III) ( 1786 - 1864) — sold for 400 EUR (Nagel Auction), Unknown
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (1786-1864), after. — sold for — (Stockholms Auktionsverk Fine Art), 2021-10-01

Expert notes

This is an authentic 1858 woodblock print by the celebrated artist Utagawa Kunisada. Its value is significantly affected by its condition, which is fair due to fading and paper toning. The valuation is based on auction results for comparable prints. Before selling, it is highly recommended to have the print professionally removed from its frame to inspect the full condition of the paper, particularly the margins, as any trimming would impact the value.

This report is one of the worked examples in our guide What is your Japanese woodblock print worth?.