Nakamura Shikan IV as Kudo Saemon Suketsune, 1868 - Terrific kabuki portrait of Nakamura Shikan IV as Kudo Saemon Suketsune during the night attack of the Soga brothers. Suketsune killed their father while they were young boys, and they vowed to avenge his death when they were older. Wearing a fantastic helmet topped with a one-horned demon and white hair, Suketsune recoils with a furious grimace as he thrusts out a tasseled baton before him. A rooftop and trees appear in silhouette along the horizon against the night sky under rain falling straight down. A great design, detailed with embossing on the white hair. The butterflies and plovers of the title refers to the motifs worn by the famous Soga brothers: butterflies for Goro and plovers for Juro.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 9 1/2" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. A couple small repairs, creasing and slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details.This print with nice detail as shown. A couple small repairs, creasing and slight rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details.