Comments - Fantastic kabuki portrait of Nakamura Utaemon IV as the boatman Matsuemon perched in a rugged pine keeping a lookout. Matsuemon is actually the great warrior Higuchi no Jiro Kanemitsu, a retainer of the twelfth century Minamoto no Yoshinaka. After his Yoshinaka's death, Higuchi rescued his master's son and escaped disguised as a sailor. Here the boatman uses the tree to keep watch, grimacing angrily as he spies Genji troops approaching in the distance. He wears a blue shirt with a distinctive tie-dyed pattern favored by boatmen, his hair blowing wildly about his face. Pine branches frame the night sky behind him. A great dramatic image with a bold composition.
Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
Image Size - 13 5/8" x 9 1/4"
Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight thinning at corner, a couple wormholes, repaired. Very slight soiling, a few light creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.
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