Comments - Terrific illustration of Act 5 from the classic kabuki play "Kanadehon Chushingura." On the Yamazaki Highway one night, the villain Ono Sadakuro encounters the elderly Yoichibei, murdering him and robbing him of his money bag. Here, he pulls on the bag as the old man clutches the drawstring about his neck, pleading as he leans forward on his knees. Sadakuro looks at him with disdain, holding a snake eye pattern umbrella. At left, the ronin Hayano Kampei, who has been out hunting wild boar, reads a letter from Senzaki Yagoro, who sits beside him at the foot of a pine tree. Kampei studies the message closely by the light of his lantern, his gun and hat on the ground nearby, and a boar rushing through the landscape behind him. From left the actors are Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Hayano Kampei, Ichikawa Komazo VII as Senzaki Yagoro, Nakamura Kanemon I as Yoichibei, and Arashi Kichisaburo III as Ono Sadakuro. A great image from this popular tale, with an atmospheric night setting and expressive figures.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 14" x 28 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Thinning at edges, small wormholes, repaired. Slight toning, soiling, and creasing, a few stains. Please see photos for details.