Comments - Terrific scene from the kabuki play "Hakata Kojoro," a tale about the pirate Kezori. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Danzo V as the merchant Komachiya Soshichi, Iwai Tojaku I as Mikuni Kojoro, and Ichikawa Ebizo V as Kezori Kuemon. The unfortunate Soshichi becomes mixed up in one of Kezori's smuggling plots. Here, the pirate has just tossed the hapless merchant overboard after he accidentally witnessed the robber and his gang smuggling from a barge. Soshichi's sweetheart, the courtesan Kojoro, seems about to leap over the edge to join him, a rather crazed expression on her face as she waves a letter. At right, Kezori steps on the hem of Kojoro's outer kimono to keep her on board. He wears a button-front coat over a tunic and black pants, a heavy brocade robe draped over his shoulder. Soshichi clings to the edge of a smaller boat, waves crashing around him, a crescent moon glows in the black night sky. A great image with wonderfully expressive figures and a handsome setting, also in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 7/8" x 30 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few small losses and holes, repaired. Slight soiling and creasing, faint stain at upper right corner. Please see photos for details. Good overall.