What is the estimated value of this Japanese woodblock print?

This Utagawa Kunisada II 'Kanadehon Chūshingura' woodblock print, circa 1851, has an estimated market value between $100 and $200. This valuation is based on recent sales of comparable 19th-century ukiyo-e prints by artists of the Utagawa school. While the subject is desirable, the print's fair condition, including toning, fading, and trimmed margins, places it at the lower end of the market for its genre.

What era is this Japanese woodblock print from?

This Japanese woodblock print is from the late Edo Period, specifically dated circa 1851. It was created by Utagawa Kunisada II, a prominent artist of the Utagawa school. Prints from this era, depicting popular kabuki scenes like 'Kanadehon Chūshingura', offer a direct link to the vibrant popular culture of 19th-century feudal Japan.

What condition is this Utagawa Kunisada II print in?

The print is in fair condition, showing notable signs of its age. Specific defects include moderate color fading, particularly in the reds and blues, pronounced and uneven paper toning, and scattered foxing spots. Additionally, the print appears to have been trimmed, lacking its original full margins. These condition issues significantly impact its overall market value.

Where should I sell this Utagawa Kunisada II woodblock print?

For this print, valued at $100-$200, selling within the United States is recommended to maximize net proceeds. Specialized online marketplaces like eBay (targeting Japanese print collectors) or regional US auction houses such as Link Auction Galleries are suitable options. Avoid international sales due to high shipping, customs, and import costs that would negate any potential profit.

Is this Utagawa Kunisada II woodblock print authentic?

This Japanese woodblock print is considered likely authentic. The materials, printing technique, and artistic style are consistent with a genuine Edo-period work from circa 1851, and the inscription clearly attributes it to Utagawa Kunisada II. However, a definitive confirmation regarding its specific edition (e.g., early impression) requires physical examination outside its modern frame.

Utagawa Kunisada II (1823–1880), 'Kanadehon Chūshingura', Act 9: Yuranosuke's Country Retreat in Yamashina, Japanese Woodblock Print, circa 1851

Estimated value: $100 - $200. Utagawa Kunisada II (1823–1880), 'Kanadehon Chūshingura', Act 9: Yuranosuke's Country Retreat in Yamashina, Japanese Woodblock Print, circa 1851 (Edo Period (circa 1851)) — a researched valuation with cited comparable sales in Fine Art, from findthevalueof.com.

About this item

This woodblock print captures a moment of high drama from one of Japan's most beloved stories, 'Kanadehon Chūshingura', the tale of the 47 Ronin. In the peace and prosperity of 19th-century Edo (modern-day Tokyo), kabuki theater boomed, and its tales of honor, loyalty, and revenge captivated the public. Artists of the 'floating world' (ukiyo-e) like Utagawa Kunisada II created prints like this one to serve as affordable and vivid souvenirs for theater fans. This particular scene, Act 9, is set in the snowy country retreat of the ronin's leader, Yuranosuke. The print would have been purchased by an ordinary city-dweller, a member of the rising merchant class, allowing them to bring the excitement of the stage into their own home. As such, it is more than just a decorative object; it is a direct link to the popular culture and artistic vibrancy of late-feudal Japan, a tangible piece of the world that inspired the Japonisme movement in the West.

How the value was reached

The valuation is based on recent sales of comparable 19th-century ukiyo-e single-sheet prints by artists of the Utagawa school. A directly comparable print from the same series and act by a contemporary artist sold for $80, and a print by Kunisada I sold for $100. The subject matter is desirable, but the print's 'Fair' condition, with significant toning, fading, and trimmed margins, places it at the lower end of the market for this genre. At auction, a reserve of $80 would be appropriate. After auction house commissions (typically 10-15%), net proceeds would be approximately $85 - $180.

Comparable sales

Original Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniteru (Japanese, active 1818-1860), Kudanme (Act IX) - From the series Kanadehon Chushingura (47 Ronin). Late Edo period, circa 1851–53. Utagawa Kuniteru was an ukiyo-e artist in the tradition of the Utagawa school. — sold for 80 USD, 2021-09-25
Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), Japan (1786-1864), From: The Tale of Genji, Chapter 49, color woodcut, framed. Provenance: Kabutoya Galleries, Inc., San Francisco. Dimensions: 9 3/4 x 14 1/2 inches. Medium: color woodcut. — sold for $100.00 USD (Link Auction Galleries), 2024-06-01

Expert notes

This is an authentic 19th-century woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada II. Before offering it for sale, we recommend having the print professionally removed from its frame. This will allow for an inspection of the reverse side, which can help confirm it is an early impression from the 1851 printing, a factor that could influence its final value.

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