Comments - Fantastic triptych of the famous confrontation between Watanabe no Tsuna and the witch Ibaraki. A friend challenged Watanabe to spend the night at the Hojo Temple in Kyoto, where he could have an encounter with the only demon left in Japan. Disturbed in the middle of the night, he flailed wildly with his sword, cutting off the arm of the awful demon Ibaraki. Later as Watanabe performs Shinto rights over the arm, Ibaraki returns disguised as his elderly aunt, retrieves the arm, and flies away. Here the evil Ibaraki clutches the dismembered arm between her teeth, her long white hair whipping around her face. The fierce samurai grasps his sword as the demon flies upwards. Wonderful embossed detail in the white hair and burnishing in the black court cap. From left, the actors are Onoe Kikugoro V and Ichikawa Sadanji I. This image is illustrated on page 122 of Amy Reigle Newland's recent book, "Time Present and Time Past: Images of a Forgotten Master, Toyoharu Kunichika." A terrific atmospheric scene and a great image from this legendary Japanese ghost story. Would make a dramatic framed presentation.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 28"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three panels backed with paper, left and center panels attached, right panel loose. Vertical fold. Faint toning, slight soiling, a few light creases, slight rubbing at edge. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.