Comments - Terrific kabuki scene from the tale of Princess Wakana, who practiced spider magic. Here, her daughter Otomo appears at left, smiling sweetly as she looks up, a brocade sash in her hand. The three samurai beside her each look in a different direction, gripping their swords as they await the appearance of the giant spider whose enormous web stretches across the dark background. At right, the samurai Genkai Nadaemon holds his weapon upright over his shoulder, a worried expression on his face. He wears a magnificent black kimono with dragon motifs over a suit of armor trimmed with black fur cuffs. At bottom center, Washizu Rokuro frowns unhappily as he turns his head to the side. His robe features flying cranes and swirling clouds. Above him, Shichiro looks up alertly with a scowl, ready to spring into action. The actors are Bando Shuka I as Otomo, Bando Hikosaburo I as Shichiro, Arashi [?] II as Washizu Rokuro, and Arashi [?] III as Genkai Nadaemon. A fantastic supernatural design with large expressive figures. Beautifully detailed with burnished patterns in the beauty's gray kimono and both black kimono; embossing in the white kimono trim, the cords tied around the samurai's topknots, and the cranes' feathers; and fine bokashi shading in the background. A great design.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 29 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Stitching holes at one side of each panel from previous folio binding, repaired. Slight creasing, faint staining along bottom edge. Please see photos for details. Good overall.