Comments - Terrific contemporary kabuki portrait of Bando Mitsugoro IX as the main character, the artist Matahei, in the play "Domo Mata" (Mata the Stutterer). A student of the master artist Tosa Shogen, Matahei was distraught when a younger student was promoted ahead of him. The humiliated artist decided to commit suicide, but his wife urged him to first paint a self portrait. Here he grips a brush in one hand as he tucks his thumb beneath his gray and white dotted vest, a resigned grimace on his face. A great expressive figure, set against a handsomely shaded blue background. Numbered "A. P." (Artist's Proof) in pencil in bottom margin.

Artist - Yamamoto Hisashi (1905 - ?)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.