Comments - Fantastic six-panel kabuki print in the form of a sugoroku board. Sugoroku is a dice game similar to snakes and ladders that was popular with both adults and children. This features actors looking out from between shoji panels, their silhouettes in gray shadow on the paper against warm pink light. Each expressive figure is nicely detailed and vibrantly colored, set off by a red background with a tie-dyed textile pattern. The actor's name and the name of the character appear in red and yellow cartouches adjacent to each portrait. The top center image shows three actors surrounded by a simulated black lacquer frame. A terrific and rare complete six-panel design and a great subject for a collector interested in kabuki or traditional Japanese games.

Artist - Kuninao II (active circa 1883 - 1887)

Image Size - 28" x 26 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Six separate panels, backed with paper. Horizontal centerfold in top panels. Losses and wormholes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few spots and stains. Please see photos for details.