Tenerai, Chapter 53: Takumi no Kami Tofu, 1864 - Terrific scene of from the tale of the court calligrapher Ono no Tofu, whose title was Takumi no Kami, who is urged to join a plot to overthrow the emperor. Walking home, he sees a frog trying to jump up into the branch of a willow tree. It tries again and again, slipping back into the water below, before finally succeeding. Ono realizes that like the frog, the evildoers plotting against the emperor might eventually succeed if they persist long enough. He decides then to expose the courtiers and save the emperor's life. He wears a fine robe patterned with clouds and birds in flight over a white kimono tucked into voluminous hakama pans, an umbrella resting over his shoulder. He looks down with a thoughtful expression as the frog leaps again at lower left. A handsome depiction of this classic story that became a popular kabuki play.

Artist - Yoshiiku (1833 - 1904)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Tear at edge, separation at ends of vertical fold at left edge, hole, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases, slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.