Comments - Fantastic kabuki scene of Ichikawa Sadanji I as the young samurai Okawa Tomoemon rescuing important documents from the burning palace of his daimyo, Lord Hosokawa. The loyal Okawa rushed back into the flames to retrieve the documents, only to discover that escape was impossible. To save the papers, he committed suicide by disemboweling himself, thrusting the documents into his belly in the hope that his body would prevent them from burning. After the fire, his charred body was recovered with the bloodstained scrolls intact, thus saving his master's fortunes. Here the samurai looks wildly around for escape, red flames swirling and burning embers flying around him, the document box tucked under his arm. An incredible dramatic scene with a fantastic composition, beautifully printed with a burnished pattern in the black kimono.

Artist - Meiji era artist (unsigned)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 3/8" + margins

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Light rubbing and soiling at edges. Minor creases in subject. A couple very small holes repaired. Please see photos for details. Good overall.