The Five Great Powers that Secure Love, 1898

by Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Current Status

The Five Great Powers that Secure Love, 1898 by Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Original Kunisada III (1848 - 1920) Japanese Woodblock Print
The Five Great Powers that Secure Love, 1898

Comments - Handsome illustration from the kabuki play commonly known as "Godairiki" (The Five Great Powers that Secures Love), the story of the samurai Satsuma Gengobei, who falls in love with the geisha Koman. At left, Koman looks up with a concerned expression at her sweetheart, who scowls angrily. Koman had written on the back of her shamisen the characters for "godairiki," a pledge of fidelity when written by a geisha to her lover. Unbeknownst to her, the evil samurai Sasano Sangobei, who has been spurned by Koman, has altered the writing to look like a pledge of love to him. At right, Sangobei thrusts the shamisen in front of Gengobei, watches his reaction closely with an enraged frown, waiting to see his reaction. Nice large expressive figures, beautifully detailed with a burnished geometric pattern on the black kimono.

Artist - Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Image Size - 14" x 27 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. Slight toning, curling, and ink bleeding, smudge near edge. Please see photos for details.

The Five Great Powers that Secure Love, 1898 by Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)
The Five Great Powers that Secure Love, 1898 by Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

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