Every Shunsen print from the 36-actor series and the supplemental 15-print series (1929–1931) was limited to ~150 copies, making all original Watanabe impressions inherently scarce. Mica backgrounds and vivid color are key condition criteria that separate first from later impressions.
"Jodo" refers to the Pure Land of Buddhist belief, and this enigmatic print suggests Shunsen working at the edge of his usual genre — the theatrical, the observational — toward something more contemplative. Whether depicting a theatrical scene or an independent Buddhist-themed composition, the print reflects the range of subjects Shunsen explored beyond his signature kabuki actor portraits, though it is those portraits that earned him his enduring reputation.
1927
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Jodo was created by Natori Shunsen (名取春仙).
Jodo was published by Watanabe Shozaburo.
Jodo depicts figures, kabuki, and religious.
