Comments - Great kabuki triptych illustrating the famous tale of the Fox Lady, Kuzunoha. The nobleman Abe no Yasuna once rescued a fox by fighting the hunter who had trapped it. The fox returned to visit him as a beautiful young lady named Kuzunoha in order to tend his wounds from the battle. After they married and had a child, their son caught a glimpse of her true fox form, so she decided to leave her family. Here, she tenderly holds their sleeping child as she writes a farewell poem to her husband on a shoji screen. Her husband Yasuna watches from the left, his black robe patterned with large kanji characters. Two red-faced yakko or footmen are shown in a separate scene at right, each with a box tied to the end of his sword. An interesting depiction of this popular story, with lively color, fine detailing in the hair and faces, and extensive burnishing in the black kimono and obi.

Artist - Chikashige (active circa 1869 - 1882)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 28 1/8"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Three panels, attached at the seams and backed with thin paper. Minor vertical and horizontal creases running through subject. A few holes and tears along bottom edge, repaired from reverse. Faint soiling and spotting in subject. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.