Princess Yaegaki and Katsuyori, 1888

Princess Yaegaki and Katsuyori, 1888 - Terrific kabuki illustration of Princess Yaegaki holding a fantastic helmet, a rare treasure of the Takeda clan, which was stolen by her father, Nagao Kenshin. When a new gardener named Minosuke arrives who looks just like her dead fiance, Takeda Katsuyori, the beauty falls in love with him. He is actually Katsuyori in disguise, attempting to retrieve the helmet for his clan. She promises to deliver it to him as a token of her love. However, after leaving her father's castle, she came upon a huge lake that she couldn't cross in her quest to reach Katsuyori. She prayed to the god of the Suwa Shrine, who sent a white fox to protect her. Here, the princess holds the helmet aloft as she strikes a fox-like pose, looking down at Katsuyori with a frown. The helmet is topped with horns and a flowing white wig, the hair delicately embossed. Katsuyori looks up at her with a slight smile, holding his sword between his hands. He wears a purple kamishimo patterned with cherry blossoms over a red kimono, his hair pulled back into a neat topknot. From left, the actors are Ichikawa Danjuro Nakamura Fukusuke. A handsome depiction of this famous tale, beautifully detailed with burnishing on the black lacquer railings and scabbard.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 8 7/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent color and detail. A few light creases, slight rippling.