Comments - Great kabuki scene from the play "Chiyo no Haru Tosa-e no Saya-ate," a tale about the samurai Nagoya Sanza, who is banished from his clan after the evil Fuwa Banzaemon steals a valuable scroll in Sanza's care. Here, the pair meets accidentally one night while strolling through the Yoshiwara when their scabbards brush. At left, Sanza lifts his hat for a closer look, frowning with furrowed brows as he recognizes his enemy. At right, Banzemon grimaces angrily back at him as he grips the hilt of his sword. In the center, the courtesan Kanbayashi Katsuragi, who was formerly Sanza's wife, looks back at Banzaemon with a sweet smile. She wears a black kimono patterned with large tie-dyed characters over a red under robe, tied with a red obi featuring a fierce dragon. The three "teeth" of her geta clogs identify her as an oiran or high-ranking courtesan. Cherry blossoms hang overhead, and stacks of buckets of water for fighting fires frame the scene. From left, the actors are Kawarazaki Gonjuro I, Sawamura Tanosuke III, and Nakamura Shikan IV. A handsome design.

Artist - Toyokuni I/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14" x 28 3/4"

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Two separate panels, backed with paper. Stitching holes at one side of each panel, repaired. Slight rubbing at edges, small stain. Please see photos for details.