Comments - Intriguing kabuki scene from a play about the otokodate or street knight Ume no Yoshibei. From left, the actors are Onoe Kikugoro IV as Yoshibei's wife, Koume, Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Yoshibei, and Ichikawa Ebizo V as Genbei hori Genbei. Here, Yoshibei sits in the center of the room, scowling unhappily with his arms firmly folded across his chest. The thief is instantly recognizable by the distinctive clothing he wears, his violet kimono featuring white herons symbolizing innocence and black crows denoting bad luck. His wife stares at him aghast, her mouth open, as the fellow street knight Genbei grimaces at the couple, holding a tobacco pouch and pipe case in his outstretched hand. Curtains with a delicately embossed floral print hang in the doorway, and a niche at rich holds a household altar with a hanging scroll and an oil lamp. Beautifully detailed with additional embossing in the heron's feathers and burnishing on Koume's black obi.
Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
Image Size - 14" x 19 1/8" + margins as shown
Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Stitching holes at one side of each panel, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, slight rubbing at edges, a few stains. Please see photos for details. Good overall.
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