Comments - Handsome scene from the popular kabuki play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" featuring the lovely shirabyoshi dancer Shizuka Gozen. After her lover Minamoto no Yoshitsune fled to avoid capture by his brother, Lady Shizuka determined to rejoin him. Traveling with Yoshitsune's faithful retainer, Tadanobu, she set out after him. Stopping for a break under a blossoming cherry tree, the beauty performs a dance. Shizuka holds a small hand drum on her shoulder, smiling over her shoulder at Tadanobu, who is a magic fox in disguise. Yoshitsune appears in an inset framed with cherry blossoms at upper right. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Danjuro VIII, Nakamura Fukusuke IV, and Ichikawa Gonjuro I. A great design with large colorful figures, nicely detailed with burnishing in Tadanobu's black kimono.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 28" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Slight toning and offsetting. Please see photos for details. Good overall.