Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Tenjiku Tokubei, 1862 - Handsome portrait of Ichimura Kakitsu IV as the brooding otokodate or street knight Tenjiku Tokubei. Carrying two swords wrapped in a straw mat, he stares ahead with a tight-lipped frown, his brows furrowed in anger. He wears a tan kimono with a bold blue and white patterned collar and motifs, over a rust colored shirt with buttons. His short hair sticks up wildly, the rest pulled into a knot at the back of his head. The portrait is set into a battledore used for a traditional Japanese game similar to badminton, with a feathered shuttlecock at lower right and a large decorative ball at left. Beautifully detailed with simulated wood grain on the battledore, delicate embossing in the dotted scarf around his neck, and intricate line work in the hairstyle and the ball. A bold design in an interesting and unusual format.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14" x 9 7/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. Slight toning, a couple tiny spots, very slight paper remnant at top edge, ink marks. Please see photos for details. Good overall.