Parody of the Killing of the Nue - Unusual image of a young boy capturing a rat under a box in a parody of the famous killing of the nue. The nue was a mythical beast attacking the Imperial Palace and tormenting the emperor. The samurai Yorimasa shot it down with an arrow, and his retainer Tadazumi stabbed the fallen creature, which is depicted in the inset at upper left. Here, the rat has been caught nibbling crumbs on a lacquer tray, with a sleepy beauty holding a narrow taper alight as she watches. We've only seen this subject in reprint once before.

Artist - Utamaro (1750 - 1806)

Image Size - 14 1/2" x 10"

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. A few prints have a couple of small thinning spots, repaired. Slight soiling near edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.