Comments - Dramatic illustration of the "Village School" act from the popular kabuki play "Sugawara Denju Tenerai Kagami." At right, the samurai Matsuomaru stoically prepares to identify a severed head, wearing his trademark black kimono patterned with snow-covered pine trees, a purple sash tied around his head. A cylindrical wooden container typically used to hold a decapitated head as proof of an enemy's death rests on the floor before him. Matsuomaru had been ordered by his lord Shihei to ensure that his former master Sugawara's son was killed at his village school. At the last moment, Matsuomaru and his wife substituted their son Kotaro to repay a debt of gratitude to Sugawara. In the center, the schoolteacher eyes Matsuomaru closely, waiting to see his reaction, poised to draw his sword. The wives of both men watch anxiously at left. Nicely detailed with a burnished geometric design in the black areas of Matsuomaru's robe, embossing on the white trim, additional burnishing in the black kimono and obi, and a dusting of mica across the background.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. A few small holes, repaired. Faint toning, slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.