The Village School, 1899 - Handsome kabuki double portrait from the "Village School" scene of the popular drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami." At right, the samurai Matsuomaru stoically prepares to identify a severed head, wearing his trademark black kimono patterned with snow-covered pine trees, a purple sash tied around his head. Matsuomaru had been ordered by his Lord Shihei to ensure that his former master Sugawara's son was killed at his village school. At the last moment, Matsuomaru and his wife substituted their son Kotaro to repay a debt of gratitude to Sugawara. At left, the schoolteacher glares at Matsuomaru, ready to draw his own sword, one sleeve caught in the corner of his mouth. From left, the actors are Onoe Kikugoro and Ichikawa Danjuro. Nicely detailed with a burnished geometric design in the black areas of Matsuomaru's robe and light embossing on the white collars and trim. A bold design with the plain background focusing all attention on the large expressive figures.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 28" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Horizontal centerfold. A few small repairs, slight creasing. Please see photos for details.