Comments - Handsome scene from the play "Scene from Shu no Haru Kabuki no Kakizome," a tale about the court calligrapher Ono no Tofu, who is urged by the wicked Dosoku no Daroku to take part in a plot to overthrow the emperor. He dismisses the idea, but while walking home, he sees a frog trying to jump up into the branch of a willow tree. It tries again and again, slipping back into the water below, before finally succeeding. Ono realizes that like the frog, the evildoers plotting against the emperor might eventually succeed if they persist long enough. He decides then to expose the courtiers and save the emperor's life. He stands at right, frowning as he looks over his shoulder, wearing an elegant robe rover pants and tall wooden geta clogs. At left, the villain Dosoku no Daroku watches him with an enraged expression, clenching his fist. The frog can be seen at lower right. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Ebizo V and Arashi Rikan III. An interesting subject.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 13 3/4" x 18 3/4"

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. Two separate panels. Paper remnants on reverse from previous backing. A few wrinkles and creases at edges. Please see photos for details.