Scene from Koi bikyaku Yamato orai, 1854 - Handsome kabuki scene from the play "Koi bikyaku Yamato orai" at the Nakamura Theater, a tragic tale of the lovers Chubei and Umegawa. Chubei is a farmer's son who works for a courier firm, who falls in love with the beautiful courtesan Umegawa of the Tsuchiya. Unable to raise the money to redeem her from service, he steals from his firm, a crime punishable by death. The lovers eventually decide to commit suicide together rather than be parted. In this scene, Chubei leans forward with a worried expression as he hands the bag of stolen money to the teahouse owner. At right, Umegawa smiles with delight, unaware of the source of the funds. The proprietor Tsuchiya Jiemon stands at left, scowling unhappily as he watches the exchange. A ceramic teakettle and cup rest on the side of a hibachi behind him, and checked curtains line the back of the room. From left, the actors are Bando Hikosaburo IV, Kataoka Gado II, Nakayama Ichizo I as Tanbaya Hatsuemon, and Iwai Kumesaburo III. Nice expressive figures in a handsomely detailed interior setting.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 3/8" x 28 3/8"

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few repairs, slight rubbing. Please see photos for details.