Comments - Interesting kabuki scene from a play about the robber Ishikawa Goemon, who is shown at upper left sitting on the verandah of Nanzen Temple in Kyoto. He looks down with a horrified frown as a hawk perches on the railing with a cloth in its beak, which bears a last message in blood from Goemon's real father, who was forced to commit suicide and whom Goemon never knew. At this moment he determines that he must avenge his father's death. A cloud-like border separates the thief from a scene at right of a warrior fighting off a whole group of guards dressed in matching brown and white kimono. He grips his sword with both hands, scowling angrily as he steps atop the back of a fallen victim. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Ebizo V and Onoe Kikugoro III. An intriguing design, nicely detailed.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 17 3/4"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels, backed with old paper. Small losses at bottom inner corners, repaired. Creasing, slight soiling, slight rubbing near edges. Please see photos for details.