Comments - Dramatic scene from the popular kabuki play "Sugawara Denju Tenerai Kagami." In this act known as "The Village School," the samurai Matsuomaru must identify the severed head of his own son. The warrior had been ordered by his lord Shihei to ensure that his former master Sugawara's son, Kan Shusai, was killed at his village school. At the last moment, Matsuomaru and his wife decided to enroll their son Kotaro in the school, in the hopes that Kan Shusai's life might be saved by his substitution, to repay a debt of gratitude to Sugawara. Matsuomaru sits in the center of the schoolroom, a stricken expression on his face as he rests his hand atop the cylindrical box that had contained the head. The small head rests on the floor nearby. Matsuomaru must look at the head and identify it as that of Kan Shusai, betraying no emotion, under the watchful eye of Shihei's retainer at right. The schoolteacher and his wife kneel at left, with low desks with drawers are stacked up in the corner behind them. A moving illustration from the most famous act of this play.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/2" x 29 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Three separate panels. A couple small tears at edges, repaired. A few creases and marks, slight paper remnants at sides. Please see photos for details.