This set of matchbox prints illustrates the seven lucky gods (shichi fukujin). The artist and date of production has yet to be determined.

Hasegawa Sadanobu III (Konobu III) (1881-1963)

A set of six prints that are likely related to Kabuki performances. Date not determined.

This set of 12 prints is by a yet to be identified artist. Interestingly, the same seal and calligraphy appear on the above set by Hasegawa Sadanobu III. This likely refers to the publisher rather than the artist who created these images.

Matchbox prints by Kiyose Ryoichi. The first four prints are clearly woodblock printed. The embossed prints are on thick paper and are assumed to be created using the woodblock printing technique based on the artist’s other work. All date to the 1930s.

The folllowing are matchbox process sets demonstrating the progressive addition of colors during the woodblock printing process. These sets were distributed at the 1930 Matsuzakaya Exhibition (Osaka University) of Matchbox prints. The disigns depict elements from Utamaro’s woodblock prints of albone Divers. The sets appear to include a second copy of the final image which is presented first for each set.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 1. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 2. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 3. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 4. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 5. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 6. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 7. After Utamaro.

Matsuzakaya Exhibition Process Set 8. After Utamaro.

The matchbox prints in this section all come from a book related to a matchbox print exchange that occurred in 1933. The cover indicates this was the 15th exchange for the group. Many of the matchbox prints represent small series based on a theme such as kabuki, travel, toys, a honeymoon, etc. Since these appear in a single exchange book, we have chosen to keep all of these sets in this section rather than relocate them to the galleries specifically focused on one genre such as travel or theater.

A Collection of Matchbox Prints from a single collector. Artists have not been identified.

A set of 9 matchbox prints representing toys.

Three Kabuki Related Matchbox prints by an unidentified artist. Undated.

The prints in this section are singed by the artist Yamakawa Seisen and came from a collection of matchbox prints owned by a family whose ancesters were woodblock carvers and matchbox print collectors. The second image text reads Shukuseikai and Japan Rinka Renmei.

Three larger format matchbox prints. Unidentified artist. Undated.

The following set of 24 matchbox prints depict different aspects of the story Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers) which recounts an episode at the begininng of the eighteenth century in which forty seven-ronin (samaria without a lord or master) avenged the death of their master, Asano Naganori. The story has been told in multiple formats including kabuki, bunraku, novels, film, and television. Most of these prints refer to specific scenes for the play based on the event; several also depict ronin who play minor parts in the stage production. Since these represent both historical events as well as theatrical productions, they have been retained in the general gallery for matchbox prints.

The following set of matchbox prints depict the different ronin and others in the story Chūshingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers). As noted above, the story recounts an episode at the beginning of the eighteenth century in which forty-seven ronin (samaria without a lord or master) avenged the death of their master, Asano Naganori. This appears to be an incomplete set, as there are only 44 portraits. Images are approximately 3.6 x 5.4 cm.

This set of 42 images of Bijin-ga (Beautiful Woman prints) was reportedly printed in the 1920s. The images appear to be adaptations of various elements of works by the artist Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753 – 1806). Images (without margins) are approximately 3.3 x 5.1 cm in size.

The matchbox prints in this section are larger is size and came from a pre-war set of 52 prints that were created for a collector’s club. The collection was arranged by Tsuguchi Sozan and the Printmaking Institute. Most of the prints are by yet to be identified artists; most of the names on the prints more likely reflect the name of a sponsor. Prints were affixed to the pages of a binder that was reportedly published in 1934 although several of the prints appear to have dates between 1930 and 1933. The pages from this set were unbound when acquired. The prints have been removed from the pages for better preservation. The images are not presented in there original order which has yet to be verified.

A set of matchbox prints featuring rabbits printed in association with the 1930 National Match Label Exhibition.