Modern Seven Komachi - Handsome design from an 1851 Kuniyoshi series depicting kabuki actors in scenes associated with the famous ninth-century poetess Ono no Komachi. The subjects are taken from a series of seven Noh plays (Nanakomachi) dealing with legendary events during the beauty's life. A rarely seen series and an interesting choice for a Kuniyoshi collector.

Rain-prayer Komachi: Nakamura Utaemon IV, 1851 - Wonderful portrait Nakamura Utaemon IV standing along the shore, looking up with a rather distraught expression as bolts of lightning zigzag across the sky. He wears a gray kimono patterned with bamboo and birds in flight, a towel draped over one shoulder and a fan in hand. The wind blows his robes and the towel about him, ruffling the reeds along the water's edges. The scene refers to the time when Ono no Komachi ended a severe drought across Japan by praying for rain at the request of the emperor. She is usually depicting as standing near the shore with lightning and rain filling the sky. A terrific interpretation of this famous event.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

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

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Small losses and wormholes, repaired. Slight creasing. Please see photos for details.