Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Abe no Yasuna in the kabuki play Ashiya dauman ochi kagami. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. Nakamura Utaemon IV as Gotobei, 五斗兵衛, in the kabuki play Yoshitsune Koshigoe-jo. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. Onoe Kikujirô II as Gonda Imoto Osato in the kabuki play Goban Tadanobu Yuki no Kuroshiro, 碁盤忠信雪黒白. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. Bandô Takesaburô I as Inuma Katsugorô in the kabuki play Hakone Reigen Izari no Adauchi. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. Ichikawa Ebizô V as Igami no Gonta in the kabuki play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. Bandô Shûka I as Urami Kuzunoha (fox) in the kabuki play Ashiya dauman ochi kagami. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. Arashi Kichisaburô III as the sumô wrestler Inuta Kobungo Yasuyori in a kabuki play based on Bakin’s novel Nansô satomi hakkenden. Woodblock print in colours, 34,4 x 22,8 cm. Published by Ebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1852. This series features bust portraits of kabuki actors in character, set against views of Mount Fuji from Edo (present-day Tokyo). The cartouche in the upper right corner is framed by objects associated with the respective play. 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: Age-related wear, handling creases, surface dirt and occasional color stains. For any questions, please contact lisa.mejeritcher@stockholmsauktionsverk.com. Category: Asiatica/Other Estimate: 2000 SEK