Comments - Handsome scene from the kabuki play "Butai no Hana Yayoi no Irotoki" featuring, from left, Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Dankuro, Onoe Kikujiro II as Oren, and Bando Hikosaburo IV as Kichisuke, actually Rai Kunitoshi. In the center, the beauty Oren flirts with Kichisuke at right, her father's apprentice swordsmith. The pair has fallen in love and plan to be married, but Oren's brother, Dankuro, is angry at the match because he is jealous that his father has taught Kichisuke his secret to tempering a blade instead of him. While the young woman smiles and coyly tilts her head as she waves her kimono sleeve, the two enemies glare at each other across the room. Kichisuke carries a yoke with buckets of water the correct temperature to temper the blade his master is creating. An interesting design with nice expressive figures.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14" x 29 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight separation along vertical fold in each panel, a few small wormholes, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.