Scabbards Brushing in the Yoshiwara - Great illustration from a popular kabuki play showing the two arch enemies Nagoya Sanza and Fuwa Banzaemon encountering each other in the Yoshiwara at night, with a maid caught between them. Entrusted by his lord with the care of a precious scroll, Sanza was banished from his clan after the scroll was stolen by the evil Banzaemon, who appears at right dressed in a black robe with a bold design of swirling clouds and red lightning bolts. The pair clash swords, thrusting their weapons at one another as the beauty tries to intervene. At left, Sanza glares back at his foe with an angry frown, wearing a blue kimono patterned with swallows in flight and driving raindrops. Blossoming cherry trees frame the scene against a dramatic red sky. Iwai Hanshiro appears as the beauty and Ichikawa Danjuro plays Banzaemon. Nice large figures, vibrantly colored. Includes metallic pigment that has oxidized to a dark tone on the blades.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 28 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with paper. A couple small losses, a few small holes and tears, repaired. Slight curling. Please see photos for details.