A signed woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Toyomaru, 1735-1814. Toyomaru was a pupil of Utagawa Toyoharu, an early founder of the esteemed Utagawa School, and after which Toyomaru adopted the name Utagawa as part of his own. He was also a pupil of the artist Shunsho and sometimes used the name Katsukawa Shunro II after the artist Hokusai abandoned it in 1796. Toyomaru's work flourished from 1785-1797. Little else is known about this artist.
 
This fine woodblock print portrays the framed Kabuki actor, Nakayama Tomisaburo (1760-1816) in a female role and holding a drum. The actor stands on a pillared porch with an ancient pine tree in the background. His name is written in Japanese characters on the upper left side of the print. The top round censor seal in the bottom left corner indicates the print was made before 1842. The circular publisher mark below is by Iwatoya Kisaburo who primarily published prints during the 1790's. 
 
The print is in overall very good condition with only the hand painted watercolors having faded over the years.
 
Dimensions: 5 3/8" X 11 1/2"