Comments - Interesting scene of kabuki actors crossing a bridge on their way to visit a shrine. It was customary to visit a shrine on the first rabbit day of the New Year, and in Edo people visited Myogisha Shrine at Kameido Tenjin. At left, Ichikawa Ichikura III leans forward with a small cup in his outstretched hand, a worried expression on his face. He carries a branch decorated with lucky charms for the holiday, including the Lucky God Daikoku's magic mallet, a target, a die, and a mask of Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, the branch given as a gift to him for the occasion. In the center, Iwai Kumesaburo III looks back at him with a smile, one hand resting upon her Kawarazaki Gonjuro I's shoulder. At right, Nakamura Fukusuke takes a toothpick from his mouth with a saucy grin. Other decorations hang from a bamboo pole behind him. A terrific look at a traditional New Year activity.
Artist - Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
Image Size - 14" x 29 1/8"
Condition - Nice detail. Backed with paper. Wormholes, including on two faces, repaired.
