Vintage Japanese Kabuki Sukeroku Tako (Kite), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-745-5

Vintage Japanese Kabuki Sukeroku Tako (Kite), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-745-5

A boldly printed New Year kite depicting Sukeroku -- one of the most celebrated heroes of the kabuki stage -- complete with original string winder.

A tako is a traditional Japanese kite, and this large rectangular example is a superb specimen of the decorative kabuki-themed kites that were popular New Year gifts and seasonal collectibles throughout the Showa era. The face printed across the surface is rendered in vivid kumadori stage makeup -- dramatic red and black lines sweeping across pale white skin -- and is accompanied by a pink braided wig, an open parasol motif, and a vertical name tablet that identifies the character as Sukeroku, the dashing and beloved hero of the classic kabuki play "Sukeroku: Flower of Edo." The bold graphic design, flat areas of saturated color, and confident linework reflect the visual language of vintage Japanese popular culture at its most expressive. The reverse reveals a clean bamboo spine and cross-strut frame supporting the paper face -- a construction method unchanged for centuries in Japanese kite-making craft.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese kite makes a striking piece of wall art that rivals any gallery print. Hung flat against a neutral wall, it reads as a bold graphic poster, bringing the energy of the kabuki theater and the wabi-sabi aesthetic of Showa folk craft into a living room accent or hallway display. It would also sit beautifully in a home office or studio as a conversation piece for collectors of Japanese performing arts ephemera. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles, it arrives complete with its original blue printed cardboard string winder -- a charming period accessory in its own right -- making this a fully intact, ready-to-display vintage Japanese collector's item.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Washi paper on bamboo frame; cotton string; printed cardboard string winder
• Use: Seasonal New Year kite flying; decorative display of kabuki theater imagery
• Modern Use: Framed or hung wall art; living room or hallway statement piece; gift for kabuki or Japanese culture collectors
• Features: Large rectangular format; vivid kumadori kabuki face print depicting the Sukeroku character; pink braided wig and parasol motif; vertical name tablet; bamboo spine and cross-strut frame visible on reverse; bridle string attached; original printed cardboard string winder with cotton line included
• Dimensions: 14 1/2"W x 20"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and eye-catching piece of vintage Japanese folk craft and performing arts culture -- ready to bring the drama of the kabuki stage to any modern interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.