Title:" A Young Samuri- The Flower of Manhood" Signed. Engraver's seal: Wantanabe. Acted by Kikuhachiro Onoye. Close fan in right hand. Head gear in left hand. He is wearing a "Kamishimo" consisting of a waist-coat like affair.
Title: "One of the Famous Loyal League of 47 Ronin". Explanation: Artist is leading pupil of Toyokuni. Of the numerous dramas performed in the marionette theatre, the most popular as a subject for color printing was the "Chushingura." This warrior is one of the 47 named Maeda. The night of their charge was on a very snowy day, as can be seen in the print, too.
Title:"Man With Tobacco Pipe and Case". Signed. Date: Early form. Publisher's Seal: Yamoto Heikichi (Yama- Kyu). Toyokuni's output of prints (actors and figure studies) was enormous, and varies much in quality. This man has a costume quite different from the "Samurai." It is just an everyday wear.
Title: "Woman Before the Koto". Publisher's Seal: Mankyu (?). Woman about to sit down before her musical instrument- the harp (koto). The colors of her dressing indicate her to be an elderly woman. Upper section: Famous poem from one of the "Karuto" playing cards. The drawing inserted in the fan is from the cards.
Title:" Beauty of the Times". Signed by: Toyokuni (Utagawa) 1769--1825. Date: 12th month. Woman kneeling before a table spread with food ready to be served. The artist is one of the best known artists of "Ukiyoye." He was the son of a wood carver.
Title:"The Flower Mirror". Signed by: Yoshitora (Utagawa). Publisher's Seal: Sen-ichi. An elderly woman viewing the morning glories in bloom. The poem on the left extoll the beauty of the flowers. Yoshitora is one of the most capable of Kuniyoshi's pupils.