Comments - Terrific kabuki scene depicting a female otokodate or street knight and her male companions. She smiles over her shoulder as she tugs on the ends of a white towel draped over her shoulders. Her blue kimono features a pattern of butterflies caught in spider webs, tied with a checked obi, a sword and a shakuhachi flute at her side. The fellow at right looks up with a grim frown, his brows furrowed. He wears a blue kimono with a striking pattern of a large koi fish and rushing water. At left, the third man watches the beauty suspiciously out of the corners of his eyes as he grips the hilt of his sword with both hands. His white kimono has an enormous snake and autumn leaves on it. The background includes bamboo rendered in bold calligraphic strokes against the night sky. From left, the actors are Sawamura Tossho II, Sawamura Tanosuke III, and Kawarazaki Gonjuro I. A handsome design with large colorful figures.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 28 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Thinning and small losses at edges, a few wormholes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases, slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.