Comments - Handsome kabuki scene from the tale of the Fox Lady, Kuzunoha. The nobleman Abe no Yasuna once rescued a fox by fighting the hunter who had trapped it. The fox returned to visit him as a beautiful young lady named Kuzunoha in order to tend his wounds from the battle. After they married and had a child, their son caught a glimpse of her true fox form, so she decided to leave her family. Here, she smiles over as she sets off, wearing a black lacquer hat and holding a walking stick. In the center, her husband Yasuna looks up at her with an angry frown as he carries their boy on his back. Three yakko or footmen surround the couple, each wearing a black kimono featuring yellow floral motifs with intricately detailed red stitching. An interesting depiction of this popular story, with lively color, fine detailing in the hair and faces, and extensive burnishing in the black kimono and hat.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 28" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. A few wormholes, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.