Comments - Great kabuki scene from Act 6 of the play "Irifune Soga Nihon no Torikaji," a drama about the priest Shunkan, who was exiled to an island after taking part in a plot to overthrow Taira no Kiyomori. Here, Shunkan fights the elderly Seo Juru Kaneyasu, kneeling at right and gripping his sword with both hands. He wears a gray robe with a mantle of leaves over the shoulders and around the waist, his long hair pulled back into a low ponytail. The beauty Ama Chidori comes to his assistance, striking Kaneyasu over the shoulders with a wooden implement. He throws his hand up in surprise, grimacing unhappily. A nobleman watches soberly from a ship at left. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Ichizo III as Tanzaemon Motoyasu, Nakamura Fukusuke I as Ama Chidori, Nakamura Kajaku I as Seo Juru Kaneyasu, and Ichikawa Danzo VI as Shunkan sozu. A lively scene with handsome detail, including delicate embossing in Kaneyasu's curly white hair and topknot and soft shading in the undulating waves. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has this image in its collection.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14" x 19 1/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Two attached panels. A few wormholes, a few thinning spots at edges, repaired. Creasing, soiling and slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.