Sawamura Tossho as Inumura Daikaku, 1888 - Terrific kabuki portrait of Sawamura Tossho as the samurai Inumura Daikaku from the famous tale of the Eight Dog Heroes, eight samurai who were the offspring of a mystical union between Princess Fuse and a dog. Here, Inumura wears a black Buddhist priest's mantle over a white robe shaded in yellow, a bell in one hand and a pine sprig wrapped in paper caught between his teeth. A string of prayer beads hangs from his other wrist, and a wisp of smoke rises from an incense burner on a black lacquer table before him. A scalloped inset at upper left shows a kettle hanging over a smoking fire in a floor hearth, with three cups on a green tray on the floor nearby. Nicely detailed with burnishing on the black mantle and the table, and faint embossing on the white kimono. A striking design from a rarely seen Kunichika series.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 9" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Horizontal centerfold. A few small holes, repaired. Creasing, slight soiling. Please see photos for details.