Comments - Great kabuki scene from the play commonly known as "Sakura-hime," which tells the story of the depraved priest Seigen's desire for Princess Sakura, which ends in tragedy and death. The princess stands at left, smiling cheerfully behind her raised kimono sleeve. The samurai Tonoinosuke sits on a bench in the center, frowning at the beauty, a poem slip in his hand. Dressed in his monk's mantle and carrying a string of prayer beads and a wooden pail of greenery, Seigen watches the princess carefully, a slight frown on his face. A stone wall fills the background, with blossoming cherry trees overhead. From left, the actors are Onoe Kikugoro IV as Sakura-hime, Kawarazaki Gonjuro I as Tonoinosuke, Ichikawa Yonejuro II as the Yodohei (inset), and Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Kiyomizu Seigen. A handsome triptych from this classic story.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 29 1/2"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Vertical fold near left edge of each panel. Slight separation along fold lines, repaired, blends well. Soiling, slight rubbing near edges. Please see photos for details.