Comments - Great kabuki scene of a fight between a fireman and a sumo wrestler from a play based on an actual fight that took place at Shiba-daijingu Shrine in 1805. At right, the wrestler easily lifts a cart above his head, threatening to throw it at his enemy, grimacing angrily with a tight-lipped frown. At left, the fireman thrusts a a fire hook called a tobiguchi (kite's beak) at the athlete while a man in the center tried to intervene. The fireman wears an intricately quilted coat over a black under garment, a dotted towel wrapped about his forehead. The torii gate of the shrine can be seen in black silhouette at upper left, with firemen busy atop the roof of a structure in the center. The actor in the left panel is Onoe Kikugoro and the man in the center is Ichikawa Sadanji. A lively design, nicely detailed with burnishing on the black undergarment and the black collar at right.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 26 7/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. A few stains. Please see photos for details.