Comments - Intriguing kabuki triptych depicting a group of tattooed beauties in the guise of otokodate or street knights. Each of the women has an extensive upper body tattoo, with striking designs ranging from a lion under a waterfall, a magic fox and bolts of lightening, a falcon, and different types of flowers. The beauty at lower right pulls of a shirt of armor, tugging at the edge with her teeth. At top center, a woman runs her finger along the edge of a knife blade, testing its sharpness, a wild expression on her face. The beauty below her is busy styling her hair, pulling it back into a knot, a comb clenched between her teeth. The actors in the right panel are Bando Hikosaburo V, Onoe Kikugoro V, and Sawamura Tossho II. The center panel features Otani Tomoemon V, Sawamura Tanosuke III, Iwai Shijaku II, Nakamura Shikan IV. The left panel includes Kawarazaki Gonnosuke VII, Bando Mitsugoro V. A fantastic and unusual subject with wonderful detail in the intricate tattoos and expressive faces, also in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 27 7/8" + margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. A few small holes, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and rubbing, a few spots and marks, slight curling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.