Comments - Interesting kabuki triptych featuring evil or bad characters from several different plays combined into an imagined scene. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Sadanji as Oniazami (Demon Thistle) Seikichi, Onoe Kikugoro as Onigami Omatsu, Nakamura Shikan as Kiyomori, Ichikawa Danjuro as Kan'u, and Iwai Hanshiro as Wakanahime. At lower left, the former priest turned murderer and blackmailer Seikichi looks up with an angry frown, his robe open at the chest to reveal his upper body tattoo. In the center, the brutal Taira no Kiyomori, who killed or crushed any opponents who stood in his way, rages angrily, waving a fan above his head. He wears a striking headdress topped with a golden phoenix and trimmed with beaded fringe, and his red tunic features dragons. At upper right, Princess Wakana enlisted the magical help of supernatural spiders in her quest to avenge her father's death. An intriguing image with wonderfully expressive figures, bordered with a garland of flowers, fruit, and leaves. Includes embossing on Kiyomori's white robe and Wakana's white collar, and a burnished pattern on Omatsu's black kimono.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight paper remnants on reverse at top corners from previous mounting. A few small wormholes, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing. Please see photos for details.