No. 13, Kikaigashima: Nakamura Shikan IV as Shunkan and Ichikawa Shinsha I as Oyasu, 1861 - Interesting kabuki scene from the tale of the Priest Shunkan, who was exiled to Kikaigashima (Devil's Island) for supporting the Genji clan's failed coup against Taira no Kiyomori. In the play, he escapes to secretly protect the Emperor's pregnant concubine at a country retreat, asking the midwife Oyasu for her help. Here, the beauty offers to take an oath to prove her trustworthiness by swearing on a pair of mirrors, much as a samurai would swear on his sword, but Shunkan is wary of revealing his secret. When he snatches one of the mirrors from her, he suddenly sees his own reflection, shocked at how he has aged during the difficult exile, and lets his true identity slip. Nice large figures set against a background divided diagonally with a red tie-dyed textile pattern above and a bright green below. A rarely seen late Toyokuni III series.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Size - 14 1/8" x 9"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at sides from previous mounting. Slight separation along vertical centerfold, repaired. Slight toning, a few creases and marks. Please see photos for details.