Rat (子), Ichikawa Ebizô V as Nikki Danjô (仁木弾正), and Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Arajishi Otokonosuke (荒獅子男之介), in the play "Date kurabe Okuni kabuki" (伊達競阿国戯場). Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,7 cm. Published by Kakumoto-ya Kinjirô, 1852. Hare (卯), Bandô Shuka I as Kosan the bathhouse girl (小さん) holding a letter, and Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Omatsuri Kingorô (金五郎), in the play "Chikai Musubi ukina no Tategaku" (盟結艶立額). Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22 cm. Published by Kakumoto-ya Kinjirô, 1852. Snake (巳), Ichikawa Kodanji as Karaki Masaemon (唐木政右エ門) and Kataoka Ichizô as Sawai Matagorô (沢井又五郎), in the play "Sono umayagi Sagara no Kikigaki" (Things heard along the Highway to Sagara). Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 21,6 cm. Published by Kakumoto-ya Kinjirô, 1852. Dog (戌), Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Kamiya Iemon (神谷伊右エ門) and Ichikawa Hirogorô as Akiyama Chobei (秋山長兵衛). Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,1 cm. Published by Kakumoto-ya Kinjirô, 1852. The Buddhist zodiac comprises twelve animals: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, goat, monkey, cock, dog, and boar. According to tradition, these were the only animals to answer the Buddha’s summons, arriving in the order in which they are listed. In this series, each print features a large bust portrait of an actor in character, accompanied by a smaller full-length depiction of another actor appearing in the same play. A miniature representations of the corresponding zodiac animal encircle an irregularly shaped title cartouche in the upper right corner. PROVENANCE The collection of Dr Eugen Milch (1889-1958), Austrian physician and artist. During the First World War he practiced as a medical officer. Milch was a true globetrotter - in the early 1920s, he travelled across Europe on a combined study and painting tour. In 1924, he married Emma Bormann, and the couple visited Sweden that same year. Together with the artist Oskar Bergman, they exhibited a number of paintings at Liljevalchs in Stockholm. In 1937, Eugen left for China with other Austrian physicians at the invitation of the Chinese government, and was joined by his wife two years later. The initial posting didn’t materialize, but in 1938 he became superintendent of a hospital in Beihai, China. In 1941, when Japanese forces occupied part of the South China coast, including Beihai, the Milch family managed to move to Shanghai. While in China, Eugen and Emma decided to separate. Eugen went on to assist British forces in China, for which he was awarded British citizenship. Continuing his travels, he went to Japan to study the aftermath of the war, and this is where he probably acquired the present collection of Japanese woodblock prints. He died in Hong Kong in 1958. Thence by descent within the family. Condition: Surface dirt, handling creases and wear, paper loss. For any questions, please contact lisa.mejeritcher@stockholmsauktionsverk.com. Category: Asiatica/Other Estimate: 2000 SEK