Comments - Intriguing kabuki scene of the ghost of the beauty Hototogisu appearing to her murdered, the elderly matron Yuri-no-Kata, and her ladies-in-waiting. The gray-haired woman grimaces as she looks up, a ball of light arcing through the night sky overhead. She had killed Hototogisu by stabbing her, then had her body thrown in the garden pond. The beauty's spirit rises up out of the iris pond at right, her long hair flowing over her shoulders and her face shaded with blue around the eyes. A flickering red flame before her signals that a supernatural event is taking place. The lady-in-waiting just below her looks alarmed, while another flees at right, just her foot visible as she hurries away. The actors are Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Yuri-no-Kata and Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Hototogisu. A fascinating subject with expressive figures and a handsome setting.

Artist - Kunisada II (1823 - 1880)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 18 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. A few small holes repaired. Please see photos for details. Good overall.