Kusatsu: Seta Bridge on Lake Biwa - Terrific design from a Tokaido series jointly designed by Hiroshige and Toyokuni III. Hiroshige created the landscape backgrounds while Toyokuni III designed the large figures in the foreground. Here, the samurai Sasaki Takatsuna throws his hands out in alarm as he kneels before the boatman Tanimura Kotoji. He wears a geometric print red and yellow robe over his armor, his sleeves tied back with a blue and white rope. The boatman grips his oar with both hands, a terrified expression on his face, eyes wide. One sleeve of his outer rope print kimono has been pushed down to the waist to reveal a blue robe with a tied-dyed yellow design. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Yaozo III and Ichikawa Danjuro VI. The inset above features a view of Seta Bridge on Lake Biwa under a slanting rain, with tiny figures in straw hats making their way across the bridge and a few boatmen poling their crafts along the placid water. A handsome image from this series with expressive figures and a classic Hiroshige landscape view. A variant edition with a colored background.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) and Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 3/4" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. A couple tiny holes, repaired. A few creases at edges. Please see photos for details.