Moon of Musashi Plain: Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Omatsuri Sashichi, 1856 - Dramatic kabuki portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as the fireman Omatsuri Sashichi, whose tragic love for the courtesan Koito leads to him murdering her. He is shown here gripping a large knife in one hand, leaning forward with an anxious expression. He wears a black undergarment over a red loincloth, his full body tattoo of a dragon visible on his arms and his thighs. A netted pouch is slung around his chest with a roll of tissues tucked at his side, and a dotted cloth is wrapped around his head. A stone retaining wall behind him leads to a grassy slope, with a festival float visible at left and a willow framing the gray night sky. A fantastic subject, beautifully detailed, with soft shading and handsome wood grain impression in the background. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection. A great image from this rarely seen series.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 10" x 14 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail. A couple creases in subject. toned as shown. A few small holes repaired from reverse. Please see photos for details. Good overall.