Comments - Expressive kabuki portrait from the play "Koharu no En Mitsugumi Sakazuki" of Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo as a poor, former lord who live in Yashu. When a Buddhist monk arrived unexpectedly at his home during a snow storm, Tsuneyo and his wife treated the surprise visitor with as much honor as they could, even burning Tsuneyo's prized bonsai trees to cook a meal for him. The monk was actually the retired regent Hojo Tokiyori, who was disguised during an intelligence gathering mission. Here, the distraught man grimaces as he looks up, snow falling through the dark sky. The name cartouche at upper right is surrounded by blossoming plum branches to represent the plum tree bonsai that Tsuneyo sacrificed.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 1/2" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Slight curling. Please see photos for details.