Matahei the Stutterer, 1856 - Interesting kabuki scene featuring Nakamura Utaemon IV as Matahei the Stutterer and Iwai Hanshiro VII as his wife, Otoku. Here, the artist Matahei is shown as he prepares to paint a self portrait on a stone water basin in his garden. A student of the master artist Tosa Shogen, Matahei was distraught when a younger student was promoted ahead of him. The humiliated artist decided to commit suicide, but his wife urged him to first paint a self portrait. The portrait was so lifelike that when Tosa Shogen saw it, he admired his passion and promoted Matahei on the spot, allowing him to use the master name Tosa. Matahei holds a writing set with ink stone and brushes in his hand, dabbing at the side of his face with a towel as he wife kneels beside him, smiling with encouragement. A great story.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 3/8" x 8 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Most prints have a few small holes or thinning spots, a few have losses at corners or edges, repaired. A few have spotting or staining. Soiling and rubbing, slight creasing. Please see photos for details.