The Secret Book of Strategy, 1850 - Handsome kabuki scene from the play "Tora no Maki" (The Secret Book of Strategy), a tale about the retired Taira general Kiiuchi Hogen and his book of military strategy. At right, the young Ushiwakamaru (the future Minamoto no Yoshitsune) has joined Hogen's staff disguised as a footman in an effort to obtain the book. At left, Kiichi Hogen stares at the young man with an angry grimace, wearing a brown tunic and a monk's stole with black pompoms over voluminous white pants, a feather fan in his hand and a tiny black cap atop his shaggy white hair. Ushiwakamaru wears pants with an unusual scene of the fence and torii gate of a shrine. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Ebizo V and Iwai Kumesaburo III. A border of clouds runs across the top. Nicely detailed with embossing on the white hair and beard, and the white pants.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14" x 18 7/8"

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Two separate panels. A few thinning spots, small loss at edge, repaired. A few creases, slight rubbing and staining. Please see photos for details.