Comments - Interesting scene from the play "Bancho Sarayashiki Tetsuzan" (The Dish Mansion at Bancho)" at the Kabukiza or Kabuki Theater in Tokyo, one of Japan's most famous ghost stories. The evil samurai Asayama Tetsuzan has falsely accused the lady's maid Okiku of losing one dish from a valuable ten-piece set. He offers to forgive her if she will accept his advances, but she refuses. Tetsuzan tortures her, hoping to convince her to relent, but she remains steadfast, and the samurai ends up drowning her in a well. After committing the murder, the ghost of Okiku rises from the well, endlessly counting the dishes and bursting into a wail when she reaches the number ten. Here, Tetsuzan thrusts an ornate pipe at the beauty as he accuses her, frowning angrily. She turns her head away with a strange expression, her sleeves folded across her chest. The samurai wears a black kimono with a floral pattern tucked into geometric print pants. From left, the actors are Onoe Kikugoro and Ichikawa Danjuro. Nice large expressive figures, detailed with a burnished pattern on the black areas of the kimono.

Artist - Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Image Size - 14" x 18 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. Slight soiling, a few creases and marks. Please see photos for details.