Swordfight in the Forest, 1854

by Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

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Swordfight in the Forest, 1854 by Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Original Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864) Japanese Woodblock Print
Swordfight in the Forest, 1854

Comments - Intriguing kabuki scene of two samurai fighting with swords in the forest near a country shrine. The young warrior a left turns his head away with a sly smile as he brandishes his sword at the fellow in the center. His opponent grips his weapon upright with both hands, biting his lower lip in anger. He wears a white outer robe with a beautiful embossed pattern over a yellow kimono with a design of flowers and scrolls, tied with a gray sash. His shorter hair sticks up atop his head, with the longer locks falling over his shoulders. At right, a warrior watching leans forward aggressively with his hand on the scabbard of his sword, while below, a man cowers beneath his kimono with a frightened expression as he scrambles backwards. The figures are surrounded with tree trunks and foliage, with a view of the rustic shrine at left beneath the dark sky. From left, the actors are Bando Shuka I, Ichikawa Kodanji IV, and Bando Takesaburo I as the standing samurai. An interesting subject with nicely detailed figures and an atmospheric setting.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 29 3/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Large loss at corner, smaller loss at corner, a few wormholes, repaired. Slight soiling and rubbing, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Swordfight in the Forest, 1854 by Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
Swordfight in the Forest, 1854 by Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

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