Comparisons of Lovers, a Collection of Ballads - Handsome double portrait from a Toyokuni III series pairing famous kabuki couples with "hauta," love songs that were popular during the Edo era. Each design features two expressive figures in moods ranging from happy or sad to angry or worried. The clothing and accessories are beautifully detailed, and some prints include deluxe publishing techniques such as embossing or burnishing. The title cartouche takes the form of a book in an upper corner, with the text of the ballad above the figures. An interesting design from this seldom seen series.

Ichikawa Ichizo III as Shirai Gonpachi and Sawamura Tanosuke III as Komurasaki, 1860 - Interesting kabuki scene of the tragic young lovers Shirai Gonpachi and the courtesan Komurasaki. Here, the beauty languidly combs her hair as she reclines against her sweetheart, her hand resting on his leg. She wears a blue outer robe over a red kimono tied with a tie-dyed obi, a roll of tissues caught between her teeth. Gonpachi frowns as he looks over his shoulder, a worried expression on his face. He holds a slender pipe in one hand as he reaches into a tobacco pouch with the other. Gonpachi turned to killing and robbing to find money to be with his sweetheart. After being caught, he commits suicide, then the love-stricken Komurasaki kills herself at his grave. The actors are Sawamura Tanosuke III as Komurasaki and Ichikawa Ichizo III as Shirai Gonpachi. The title cartouche takes the form of a book at upper right, with the story in text above the figures. A handsome portrait of the famous kabuki couple.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight thinning at corner, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.