Comments - Attractive scene from the kabuki play "Gohiiki Yakko no Konoshita" showing the beauty Kichu no Mae offering a flower to the samurai Oda Harunaga. She tilts her head away, smiling shyly as she watches him out of the corners of her eyes. He responds with a happy grin, sitting on a cushion draped over a bench. He wears and elegant floral outer kimono and holds a long pipe. At left, Tatarazaemon, who is actually the warrior Takechi Mitsuhide in disguise, grimaces angrily as he stands at the garden gate. From left, the actors are Nakamura Utaemon IV as Tatarazaemon (actually Takechi Mitsuhide), Bando Shuka I as Kichu no Mae, and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Oda Harunaga. A handsome design, nicely colored. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1823 - 1880)

Image Size - 14 5/8" x 29"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Three panels, not attached at the seams and lightly toned throughout. Minor soiling and spotting in subject with a few small stains scattered throughout all three panels. Slight creasing and fading near edges. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.