Comments - Terrific print from a kabuki series pairing images of the provinces with actor portraits or scenes from plays. The top image corresponds to Iki Island, and shows an elderly samurai grappling with several attackers. He easily pushes one opponent backwards, his feet flying up in the air as he stumbles over another man under the elder's foot. The older samurai simultaneously grabs an adversary around the neck, gripping him in a headlock. The design below for Tsushima Island features a bold portrait of Nakamura Utaemon III as Taira Tomomori in the play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura." Following defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-Ura, Tomomori committed suicide by tying himself to an anchor and leaping into the sea. He is shown in his final moments with the anchor rope tangled about his neck, grimacing in anguish. Arrows protrude from his armor and blood trickles from his head, his face tinged with blue, a sign of his imminent death. A moving and expressive portrait. A nicely detailed image from this rarely seen series.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 1/2"

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Horizontal centerfold. Small repair, a couple creases and stains. Please see photos for details.