Comments - Terrific kabuki portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro IX as the nursemaid Shigenoi, and the young boy Sankichi, played by Onoe Ushinosuke II, who works as a packhorse driver. Shigenoi has just discovered that Sankichi is the child she was forced to give up at birth, but because of her high position taking care of the Princess Shirabe, she can never be a real mother to him. The matron stares over her shoulder with a worried frown as the boy looks at her questioningly, a pipe in his hand. She wears a beautiful burnished black kimono patterned with colorful medallions, pink blossoms, and tiny yellow leaves, her hair pulled back into a loop adorned with a simple wooden hairpin. She holds a lacquer tray filled with a variety of sweets in her outstretched hand. A wonderful depiction of this poignant scene, beautifully detailed with delicate line work in the hair, embossing in the white kimono collar, and burnishing in the boy's black undergarment. A great design from the popular play "Koi Nyobo Somewake Tazuna."

Artist - Toshihide (1863 - 1925)

Image Size - 14" x 28 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Three panels, not attached at the seams. Faint horizontal folds in each panel, slight soiling, a few creases. A few small holes, repaired, blends well. Please see photos for details. Good overall.