Comments - Interesting kabuki scene of two men working a large puppet of a young man, each manipulating a stick attached to the figure. The fellow at left holds the puppet high, looking at it with a frown. The man kneeling in the center pauses to watch unhappily as Takeno, a young kamuro or child apprentice, walks past carrying an object covered with purple cloth. She wears an elegant kimono shaded from red to pink, and clusters of blue leaves and red ribbons adorn her hair. Paper lanterns hang overhead and a standing screen at left features irises blossoming along a river. From left, the actors are Bando Hikosaburo V, Kawarazaki Gonjuro I as Magosaburo, and Ichimura Takematsu as the kamuro Takeno. A nice design, attractively colored and detailed.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 3/8" x 19 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Two panels, not attached at the seams. A few small holes, small losses at bottom edge of right panel, repaired, blends well. Slight creasing, small stain at bottom left of right panel. Please see photos for details. Good overall.