Comments - Terrific five-panel print of actors offstage enjoying a poetry game called "kyokusui no utage" along the edge of a river. Dating back to the Heian era, the game involved setting a sake cup afloat on a small tray. Downstream, each participant had to quickly compose a 31-syllable poem before the cup sake floated past. The writer then got to drink the sake after fishing the cup out of the stream. At right, a man kneels beside the water's edge, taking red lacquer sake cups from a stock on a tray next to a kettle. He looks up over his shoulder, chatting with the couple standing nearby. At far left, a man uses a stick to retrieve a floating cup, his companion holding onto his obi to keep him from tumbling into the water. Near the center, a man takes a brush in hand to write his own verse as he relaxes atop a platform spread with tatami mats. A meal is laid out on a red lacquer tray, with a bottle of sake in a warmer nearby. Beside him, a beauty smiles happily while her companion smokes a pipe, one sandal kicked off on the ground below. The plum trees behind them are covered with buds and blossoms, and a rosy glow spreads across the sky as the sun begins to set. A fantastic image with wonderful color and detail, and fine bokashi shading in the water and sky. We've never seen all five panels together before. A great early spring scene in a rarely seen format.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 48 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Five attached panels, backed with paper. A few small wormholes, one small loss, repaired. Slight soiling near edges, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.