Comments - Interesting design featuring two scenes from a play about the young couple Osome and Hisamatsu. Osome was engaged to marry another man, but fell in love with Hisamatsu, an apprentice in her father's shop, forcing the lovers to keep their relationship a secret. At left, a puppeteer with a black veil over his face pretends to manipulate Osome as a puppet, a style of acting known as ningyoburi, which imitates the exaggerated movements of bunraku puppets. The beauty smiles as she looks up at Hisamatsu, who grins happily through a window. At right, the clerk Zenroku points out the book in his hand to Osome's mother while Genemon frowns angrily, his lips tightly pressed together. From left, the actors are Onoe Kikguro as Osome, Nakamura Shikan as the puppeteer, Bando Shucho, Onoe Iroha, Onoe Kikugoro, and Nakamura Shikan, with some of the actors appearing in multiple roles. An intriguing design.

Artist - Ginko (active 1874 - 1897)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Horizontal centerfold. A few small repairs and spots, creasing. Please see photos for details.