Comments - Handsome scene from the popular kabuki play "The Subscription List" (Kanjincho), in which Yoshitsune Minamoto and his faithful retainer Benkei lead his men across the border disguised as monks. The aristocrat Togashi, shown here at right in formal court dress, is charged with intercepting the party and begins questioning them. Here Benkei reacts angrily, waving his fan and clutching a string a prayer beads. He wears a special monk's harness with embossed white pompoms over a striped jacket and a purple brocade kimono tucked into white pants. A large pine tree, bamboo stalks, and blossoming plum branches provide a backdrop against a red sky. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Danjuro IX and Ichikawa Sadanji I. Nice large figures with vibrant color, detailed with additional embossing in the pants and burnishing in the black caps.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 18 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. Small loss at edge, a couple holes, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.