Original Kunichika (1835 - 1900) Japanese Woodblock Print
The Actors Onoe Kikugoro V as Arara Sennin, Nakamura Fukusuke IV as Shitatsu Daishi, and Ichikawa Sadanji I as the Page

Comments - Terrific kabuki triptych of three actors from the play "The Country's Record of Dantokuzan." At left, a page crouches beside his master's lightly dappled horse. In the center, Shitatsu Daishi prepares to become a monk, holding a string of prayer beads and trading his white kimono for a simpler gray robe with several holes in it. The impressive figure at right is an immortal, Arara Sennin. Dressed in ragged robes and with a shaggy unkempt beard, he turns a scowling face towards Daishi, a tall walking stick gripped between both hands.

A fantastic image, beautifully drawn and shaded, with very expressive faces. Wonderful detail, including fine embossed treatment of the white robe and kimono trim. The decorative, wood grain Chinese-style frame around the work is very unusual. This image is included in the recent monograph on Kunichika, "Time Present and Time Past: Images of a Forgotten Master." A crisp, clean print with fine wood grain impression in the background. A great choice for a collector.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)
Image Size - 26 7/8" x 13 1/2"
Condition - With excellent color and detail. Three separate panels. A few small holes repaired from reverse. Some light ink offsetting. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.