Comments - Intriguing scene of boatmen along the shore struggling with an enormous oar. In the center, the boatman Matsuemon, who is actually the Minamoto warrior Higuchi Jiro, grimaces angrily as the beauty Ofude, who kneels at left next to the elderly boatman Gonshiro. Matsuemon jumps on one foot, throwing his arm out behind him. At right, four more boatmen grip the oar tightly under their arms. From left, they are named Bunroku, Sadaroku, Kanroku, and Dairoku. Undulating waves stretch across the background, creating a dramatic setting for the figures. From left, the principal actors include Seki Sanjuro III, Onoe Baiko IV, and Nakamura Utaemon IV. Nice expressive figures.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. A few wormholes, small loss at edge, repaired. Soiling, slight rubbing and staining at edges, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.