Comments - Dramatic depiction of "The Village School" scene from the popular kabuki play "Sugawara Denju Tenerai Kagami" showing the samurai Matsuomaru identifying the severed head of his own son. Matsuomaru had been ordered by his Lord Shihei to ensure that his former master Sugawara's son was killed at his village school. At the last moment, Matsuomaru and his wife substituted their own son to repay a debt of gratitude to Sugawara. Here, he reacts with horror as he peers into the cylindrical wooden container to identify the decapitated head, trying to restrain his emotions. At bottom center, Shihei's henchman watches the samurai closely, waiting to see his reaction. The white haired elder at right wears an interesting pair of spectacles. Nice detail in the large expressive figures, with embossing on the elder's white hair and burnishing on the black kimono, obi, and collar.

Artist - Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Image Size - 14 3/8" x 28 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Small losses at edges, a couple holes, repaired. Vertical fold in two panels, a few creases and stains. Please see photos for details.