Comments - Fantastic kabuki scene from a famous play that takes place at the famous Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. The evil samurai Daizen has been holding the lovely Princess Yuki against her will, trying to force her to paint a dragon on the ceiling of the Golden Pavilion. The daughter of a famous artist, Yuki refuses the task, as well as his unwanted advances, so the warrior threatens to kill her husband. As he menaces her with his sword, a golden dragon appears in the rushing waterfall behind her, the spirit of the dragon that taught Princess Yuki's father the secret of painting. She looks over her shoulder in wide-eyed surprise, smiling to herself. Daizen is stunned by the supernatural occurrence, staring at the dragon with his sword raised. At right, the samurai Hisayoshi pushes aside a doorway curtain leading to a balcony. From left, the actors are Iwai Shijaku I as Kano Yuki-hime, Nakamura Utaemon IV as Matsunaga Daizen, and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Hisayoshi. A terrific design from play "Gohiiki Yakko no Konoshita," with beautiful color and a wonderfully detailed setting, also in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14 5/8" x 29 3/8"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Three panels, not attached at the seams and backed with thin paper. A few small holes and tears in subject, repaired from reverse. Minor soiling and spotting in subject with faint rubbing along edges. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.