Comments - Fantastic portrait of Nakamura Shikan IV as the traitorous Takechi Mitsuhide, the kabuki counterpart for the real-life warrior Akechi Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide rebelled against his master, Oda Harunaga (Oda Nobunaga), attacking him while he was resting at Honno-ji Temple. Here, Mitsuhide waits outside the temple, tilting his head and listening with an angry sneer as he grip a sharpened bamboo spear. He wears full armor over a brocade robe, his long hair pulled back into a low ponytail with straggling wisps framing his face. Harunaga appears in silhouette on the shoji window, clasping a string of prayer beads as he prepares to commit ritual suicide rather than be captured. A terrific, dramatic design with beautiful shading.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 27 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with old paper. Small tear and thinning at upper right side of center panel, repairs. Slight soiling, light offsetting. Please see photos for details. Good overall.