Comments - Handsome kabuki scene from the popular play "The Subscription List" (Kanjincho), the story Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his men try to sneak across the border disguised as yamabushi or mountain priests. They are stopped by the aristocrat Togashi, at right in the blue kamishimo, who is charged with intercepting them. Suspicious of the young porter sitting at left, who is actually Yoshitsune, he begins asking questions. Benkei produces a blank scroll and pretends it is a subscription list for a temple fund. In the center, Benkei stares straight ahead with a grim frown, the scroll in one hand and a string of prayer beads in the other. Yoshitsune sits meekly, a walking staff in hand. A large pine tree spreads out against a red sky behind them to create a dramatic backdrop. From left, the actors are Iwai Hanshiro, Ichikawa Kodanji, Ichikawa Danjuro IV, and Ichikawa Sadanji I. Nice large figures, detailed with burnishing in Togashi's black court cap and embossing in the pompoms on Benkei's robe.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 28 5/8"+ margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A creases at edges and small repairs. Please see photos for details.