The Ghost of Iwafuji Threatening Onoe II, 1873 - Great kabuki double portrait from the play "Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji," a drama in which the ghost of the evil Iwafuji returns to haunt the maid Ohatsu, who killed her to avenge her mistress Onoe's death. Now, Ohatsu has become Onoe II, and she is attacked while stopping at the graveyard to visit Onoe I's tomb. At left, Onoe II looks up with a grin, seemingly unafraid of the specter. Iwafuji raises a sandal above her head, a reference to the sandal with which Iwafuji replaces a valuable statue in Onoe I's care, causing the shamed Onoe I to commit suicide. Iwafuji's face and lips are shaded with blue, a sign that she is dead, and a supernatural red flame dances in the night sky beside her. Nicely detailed with fine line work in the hair and bokashi shading in the sky, bordered with a simulated red lacquer frame.

Artist - Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Image Size - 14" x 18 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. Diagonal folds. Small hole, repaired. Slight toning, creasing, and soiling. Please see photos for details.