April: White Lotus - Handsome kabuki portrait of Iwai Hanshiro VIII as Jigoku Dayu, the Hell Courtesan, from a series pairing actors with flowers for the months of the year. She smiles as she adjusts a metal hairpin, dressed in a fantastic kimono decorated with a scene of hell. It features Emma-o, the god of the underworld, sitting at his book of judgment with the karmic mirror of hell beside him and red and orange flames surrounding a wheel above. The background is divided diagonally, with a tie-dyed red textile pattern below and a lovely view of a white lotus or magnolia covered with blossoms and buds above. Nicely detailed with embossing in the white kimono collar.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 9"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. A few holes, thinning at corner, repaired. Toning, soiling, slight creasing, rubbed spot. Please see photos for details. Good overall.