Comments - Interesting scene from the kabuki play "Shimekazari otakara Soga," a tale about the Soga brothers, who avenged the death of their father at the hands of Kudo Suketsune. In the center, Suketsune is hammered a sword on an anvil, the blade with tongs by the courtesan Oiso no Tora, the sweetheart of Soga Juro. She watches him suspiciously, a mallet in her other hand. The nobleman glares back at her angrily as he holds a headdress with long hair topped with a fox figurine. At right, Shosho, the lover of Soga Goro, grins happily as she looks up, a court cap in one hand and a hammer in the other. A shimenawa rope of rice straw runs across the back of the room, used for ritual purification in the Shinto religion. From left, the actors are Bando Shuka I, Nakamura Utaemon IV, and Iwai Shijaku I. Nice detail in the clothing and setting.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 29 7/8"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Horizontal and diagonal folds. Thinning at edges, a few holes, repaired. Creasing, wrinkling, slight toning, soiling, and rubbing, crease across beauty's face at left. Please see photos for details.