Comments - Handsome kabuki double portrait of Sawamura Tanosuke III as Tokiwa Gozen and Kawarazaki Gonjuro I as Yahei Hyoe Munekiyo. After the Taira killed her husband Minamoto no Yoshitomo, Lady Tokiwa fled with her three sons to Fushimi. The Taira sent their retainer Yahei Hyoe Munekiyo to find her. Here, the beauty lifts her traveling hat as she turns her head to look back at the samurai with a sly smile, her infant son cradled to her chest beneath her elegant robes. Munekiyo regards her with a solemn expression, wearing a voluminous black court robe featuring the Taira butterfly crest over a green brocade kimono and red under robe. The portrait inset takes the form of an open book with delicate cloth embossing on the pages and embossed lines on the edges. Nicely detailed with a burnished dotted pattern in the black court cap and additional embossing on Munekiyo's white kimono collar. A striking design with an interesting format.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 19 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. A couple small holes, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases, paper remnants and slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.