Comments - Handsome kabuki triptych depicting "The Village School" scene from the popular play, "Sugawara denju tenarai kagami." Here, the samurai Matsuomaru must identify the severed head of his own son. The warrior had been ordered by his lord Shihei to ensure that his former master Sugawara's son, Kan Shusai, was killed at his village school. At the last moment, Matsuomaru and his wife decided to enroll their son Kotaro in the school, in the hopes that Kan Shusai's life might be saved by his substitution, to repay a debt of gratitude to Sugawara. Matsuomaru sits just outside the schoolroom, a stricken expression on his face as the Imperial envy Shundo Genba arrives at left bearing a cylindrical box containing the child's head. The schoolteacher Genza waits at right with a sword, ready to attack the couple if they give away the substitution. He knows he must betray no emotion. The schoolteacher Takebe Genza waits at right with a sword, ready to attack the samurai if he gives away the substitution. Children sit on the floor with books, and low desks are stacked up in the corner at right. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Komazo V, Ichimura Uzaemon XII, and Seki Sanjuro II. A moving scene with expressive figures and a nicely detailed setting.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14 1/2" x 28 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Thinning at edges, a few holes, repaired. Slight toning, creasing, and soiling, rubbing at edges, stain at corner. Please see photos for details. Good overall.