Benkei Facing the Ghost of Taira no Tomomori - Terrific scene from the play commonly known as "Benkei and the Boat" (Funa Benkei) of the warrior priest Benkei facing the ghost of Taira no Tomomori. After his defeat by the Minamoto at the naval Battle of Dan-no-ura, Tomomori committed suicide by tying himself to an anchor and leaping overboard. When Minamoto no Yoshitsune's ship was crossing Daimotsu Bay, the spirit of Tomomori rose up out of the sea before them, causing a great storm to engulf the boat. Here, Benkei confronts the angry ghost, praying and holding his prayer beads in his clasped hands above his head. The apparition frowns back at him, gripping a naginata in one hand. Beneath his black court cap, his wet hair straggles over his shoulders, and he wears a purple and white vest with the Taira butterfly crest over a floral kimono and suit of armor. Two boatmen watch at left. from left, the actors are Nakamura Shikan IV, Nakamura Fukusuke IV, Ichikawa Danjuro IX as the ghost of Taira no Tomomori, and Ichikawa Sadanji I as Musashibo Benkei. A great design with large expressive figures, vibrantly colored and nicely detailed with burnishing in the black court cap.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Three attached panels. Vertical folds. Small holes, repaired. Wrinkling throughout. Please see photos for details.