Comments - Dramatic kabuki scene from a tale about a beautiful courtesan named Otsuta, who is the mistress of the daimyo Isobe Kazunosuke. One of the daimyo's retainers makes advances towards her, and after she refuses him, he tells Kazunosuke she is having an affair with another samurai. The enraged Kazunosuke kills her, and has her body thrown down a well. Here, the enraged nobleman thrusts his sword at her while she tries to push the blade away with both hands. She grimaces as she looks at Kazunosuke out of the corners of her eyes, her hair bedraggled and one sleeve of her outer kimono pushed down to the waist. The daimyo's palace appears in misty silhouette against the night sky behind them creating an atmospheric setting. The metallic pigment used on the sword has oxidized to a dark tone. A great design, beautifully detailed with embossing on Otsuta's white under robe and burnishing on the black obi.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14" x 27 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight toning, a few small spots. Please see photos for details.