Comments - Fantastic kabuki scene of a dragon winding its way around the young man in the center amidst red flames. The boy looks up with angry frown at the samurai at left, who holds a banner up between his hands, a sword caught between his teeth. At right, a magician casts a spell by twisting his hands, glaring at the samurai over his shoulder. He wears a black outer robe over a white kimono patterned with swirling clouds and a suit of armor, a white sash tied around his waist. A terrific supernatural design, beautifully detailed with a burnished pattern on the black robe, embossing on the white areas of the kimono and the white sash, delicate cloth embossing on the banner, and metallic pigment that has oxidized to a dark tone on the blade of the sword and the crest on the banner. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Sadanji, Onoe Kikugoro, and Ichikawa Danjuro. The first time we've seen this subject.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 28 1/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Small loss at edge, wormholes, repaired. Slight curling, a few stains. Please see photos for details.