Matsumoto Koshiro VIII as Watanabe no Tsuna, 1951 - Fantastic Shunsen kabuki portrait of Matsumoto Koshiro VIII as the warrior Watanabe no Tsuna, grimacing and yelling with his mouth open wide as he lashes out at the demon Ibaraki. The great samurai volunteered to investigate the haunting of Rashomon Gate in Kyoto, and when he was disturbed in the night, he flailed violently with his sword, cutting off the arm of the awful demon. This dramatic portrait captures the intensity of his emotion as he confronts the monster, his hair sticking out wildly around his face with a few locks clinging to his forehead. His gray kimono features a pattern of circular motifs that seem to be spiraling, adding to the sense of motion as he lunges at Ibaraki. An incredibly expressive design, detailed with soft shading in the face, embossing on the white kimono trim, and swirling baren marks in the gray background.

Signed - Shunsen, with red artist's seal
Publisher - Watanabe, with 6 mm seal at lower right corner

Artist - Natori Shunsen (1886 - 1960)

Image Size - 14 3/4" x 9 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.