Comments - Dramatic kabuki scene from a play based popular ghost story commonly known as "The Dish Mansion." Here, the poor maid Okiku is about to be lowered into a well. Falsely accused by the evil samurai Asayama Tetsuzan of losing one dish from a valuable ten-piece set, the warrior has his retainer Iwabuchi torture her, repeatedly dropping her into a well, trying to make her agree to his advances. If she accepts his proposition, the missing dish will be forgiven, but Okiku refuses and the pair eventually kills her. After committing the murder, the ghost of Okiku rises from the well, endlessly counting the dishes. Here, the beauty hangs from a rope above the well, her long hair dripping wet. Iwabuchi sits at far left, tugging the rope over his shoulder. Tetsuzan glares at her from the center, threatening her with the point of his sword. The set of dishes rests on the floor of the room behind them. From left, the actors are [?] Ichizo as Iwabuchi Chuta, Ichikawa Danjuro as Asayama Tetsuzan, and Ichikawa Kodanji as Koshimoto Okiku. A memorable image with wonderfully expressive figures.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 29 3/8"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Three panels, not attached at the seams. A few small holes, repaired, blends well. Slight soiling and creasing, faint rust marks from paper clips at top edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.